Colombo, May 10 (IANS) Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday congratulated actor-cum-Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) President C. Joseph Vijay on becoming Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, stating that he looks forward to working together to build “ever closer ties” and a “stronger partnership”.

In a post on X, the Sri Lankan President said: “Congratulations to Hon. C. Joseph Vijay on being sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu are connected through history, culture, enterprise, and enduring people-to-people ties across generations.”

“Our future holds immense economic promise and opportunity as Sri Lanka and India continue to build ever closer ties and a stronger partnership. I look forward to working together, within the strong India–Sri Lanka partnership, towards greater prosperity and progress. The people of Sri Lanka join me in wishing you and the people of Tamil Nadu every success,” he added.

Vijay was sworn in on Sunday, marking a historic political shift in the state, which saw an end to nearly six decades of alternating rule by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vijay at a grand ceremony held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium here.

Nine ministers were also sworn in alongside him as part of the new council of ministers.

The event was attended by several national and regional political leaders, including Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, film personalities, party workers, and thousands of supporters, prompting authorities to enforce massive security arrangements in and around the venue.

Chennai city police deployed heavy security, intensified vehicle checks and imposed strict access control measures around the stadium ahead of the ceremony.

Vijay assumes office after the TVK-led alliance secured the support of 120 MLAs in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, comfortably crossing the majority mark of 118 required to form the government.

While the TVK emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded Assembly elections, it fell short of an outright majority, triggering intense political negotiations over the last few days.

The uncertainty finally ended on Saturday evening after the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) extended their support to the Vijay-led formation.

Earlier, the Congress, the Communist Party of India, and the Communist Party of India-Marxist had also backed the TVK, enabling the actor-turned-politician to stake a claim to form the government.

Following the securing of support, Vijay met Governor Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai on Saturday night and submitted letters of support from all five allies — the Congress, the CPI, the CPI-M, the VCK, and the IUML. The Governor subsequently appointed Vijay as Chief Minister-designate and invited him to form the ministry. He has also directed the new Chief Minister to seek a vote of confidence in the Assembly on or before May 13.

The swearing-in of Vijay marks a watershed moment in Tamil Nadu politics, as a non-Dravidian party has come to power in the state for the first time since 1967. Political observers view the development as a major realignment in the state’s political landscape, long dominated by the DMK and AIADMK.

–IANS

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