"The visit by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK leader Vijay to Satyamurthy Bhavan in person to express thanks for the support of the Congress party is an expression of political courtesy," Congress leader Manickam Tagore posted on X.

நாம் கேட்ட இந்த மரியாதைதான் இது.
கூட்டணியில் பரஸ்பர மரியாதையே மிக முக்கியம்.
தமிழக முதலமைச்சரும், தவெக தலைவருமான திரு @TVKVijayHQ அவர்கள் சத்தியமூர்த்தி பவனுக்கு நேரில் வந்து காங்கிரஸ் கட்சியின் ஆதரவுக்கு நன்றி தெரிவித்தது அரசியல் நாகரிகத்தின் வெளிப்பாடு.
அதேபோல், எங்கள்… pic.twitter.com/ogLJoQdsOn

— Manickam Tagore .B🇮🇳மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) May 12, 2026

Half of the newly sworn-in ministers of the Tamil Nadu Cabinet have criminal cases against them, while 20 per cent have assets over Rs 100 crore, said a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

According to the report, out of the 10 ministers analysed, five (50 per cent) have declared criminal cases against themselves, while three (30 per cent) ministers have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

Only one of ministers is a woman, it said.

Two (20 per cent) ministers have more than Rs 100 crore, with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay the richest among them with assets worth Rs 648.85 crore. The average assets of the cabinet is Rs 126.50 crore.

"This is unacceptable in a secular government. The Honorable Chief Minister should reconsider this," VCK leader D Ravikumar posted on X. 

மதச்சார்பற்ற அரசில் இது ஏற்கத்தக்கதல்ல. மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் அவர்கள் இதை மறு பரிசீலனை செய்யவேண்டும்
- ரவிக்குமார் pic.twitter.com/jCpGGt5aJi

— Dr D.Ravikumar MP (@WriterRavikumar) May 12, 2026

"It is the government's duty to foster a scientific outlook. Ricky Radhan Pandit, who has been announced today as the political wing secretary of the Chief Minister, is fundamentally an astrologer. Appointing such a person as an officer at government expense will only serve to increase faith in astrology among the people. "Do not scorn astrology," said Bharathiyar. This appointment by the government is unacceptable! It is also unacceptable that he will provide political advice," senior CPI(M) leader Shanmugam P said.

அறிவியல் கண்ணோட்டத்தை வளர்க்க வேண்டியது அரசின் கடமை. முதல்வரின் அரசியல் பிரிவு செயலாளராக இன்று அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள ரிக்கி ராதன் பண்டிட் என்பவர் அடிப்படையில் ஒரு ஜோதிடர்.
அரசுச் செலவில் அதிகாரியாக இத்தகைய ஒருவரை நியமித்திருப்பது, மக்கள் மத்தியில் ஜோதிடம் தொடர்பான நம்பிக்கையை… pic.twitter.com/PAHpELIagN

— Shanmugam P (@Shanmugamcpim) May 12, 2026

Thol Thirumavalavan, the chief of Tamil Nadu's Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) which won two seats and gave support to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's TVK, has made a long post in Tamil on X clarifying his comments on caste and its dynamics with regard to chief ministership.

The VCK chief denied media reports that said he was approached by both AIADMK and DMK to become chief minister if the two rival parties managed to form an alliance to stop the TVK from taking power.

In this context, Thirumavalavan asked the media not to spread wrong information by twisting the meaning of what he said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, a day after the row over Tamil anthem, got into a fresh row today after appointing his astrologer Radhan Pandit Vettrivel his Officer on Special Duty or OSD to the Chief Minister. The astrologer is the one who had predicted that Vijay would have a landslide victory. The move has raised eyebrows in several quarters -- including among the leaders of ally Congress. 

Pandit, known for his dual role as an astrologer and a spokesperson for the TVK, has been a close aide to the leadership during the recent electoral campaign.

It is deja vu time in Tamil Nadu. Three years ago DMK leader and ex-deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin kicked up a row when he said: "... 'sanatana dharma' ought to be eradicated like malaria, dengue and mosquito and not opposed..."

The comment led to ferocious pushback from the BJP; in fact, such was the heat Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded and the Supreme Court was petitioned, though it later refused pleas seeking criminal charges against the younger Stalin.

On Tuesday afternoon Stalin junior - the son of party boss MK Stalin - kicked up that row again, by doubling down on 'sanatana dharma' and declaring in the Assembly "it must be eradicated."

The comment was made with the new chief minister - C Joseph Vijay - in the Assembly and in a speech in which Udhayanidhi Stalin was congratulating JCD Prabhakar on being elected as the new Speaker of the Assembly.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay meets VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan at his residence in Chennai.

The Supreme Court of India has agreed to an urgent hearing on Wednesday regarding a plea by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA R Seenivasa Sethupathi. The legislator is challenging an interim order from the Madras High Court that restrains him from participating in any upcoming floor test or trust vote in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

Sethupathi won the Tiruppattur (Sivaganga) seat by a razor-thin margin of just one vote, defeating veteran DMK leader and former minister KR Periakaruppan. Periakaruppan moved the Madras High Court, alleging a "peculiar constitutional anomaly" involving a postal ballot. He claimed a vote intended for his constituency (No. 185) was accidentally sent to another Tiruppattur (No. 50 in Vellore) and rejected there, rather than being redirected.

"Urging to take all necessary diplomatic actions to secure the release of Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy and to retrieve their fishing boats," Vijay wrote on X. He also posted a copy of the letter.

2/2
மாண்புமிகு ஒன்றிய வெளியுறவுத் துறை அமைச்சர் டாக்டர் எஸ். ஜெய்சங்கர் அவர்களுக்கு மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் திரு. ச.ஜோசப் விஜய் அவர்கள் கடிதம்#CMJosephVijay‌ pic.twitter.com/kQpBYng2B7

— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) May 12, 2026

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay met CV Shanmugam as 30 AIADMK leaders announce intention to back TVK in floor test: Sources

New Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay on Tuesday visited Congress headquarters to thank party leaders for supporting government.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on Tuesday visited the IUML headquarters here, days after the party extended its support to the TVK in government formation.

During the visit, Vijay expressed his gratitude for their support and reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding the rights of minorities.

Later, IUML president K M Kader Mohideen said his party welcomed Vijay's decision to shut more than 700 TASMAC liquor outlets in the state.

IUML is an ally of the opposition DMK.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has ordered the closure of 717 state-run liquor shops within 500 metres of temples, school, and bus stands across the state.

The shops - operated by TASMAC, or the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation, are to be shut within two weeks. The order is the first by the superstar actor and leader of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, which secured a dominant win in last month's Assembly election.

A faction of the AIADMK - led by SP Velumani and CV Shanmugam extended support Tuesday to Tamil Nadu's ruling coalition headed by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. The faction leaders plan to meet Vijay later today.

Shanmugam pointed to electoral defeats suffered by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam over the past decade - three at the hands of arch-rivals Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and a fourth, last month, inflicted by the TVK - as motivation.

"We need to revive the party... discuss its future,...we urge General Secretary (AIADMK boss and ex-chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami) to convene the council" he said, also calling out the party for having considered an alliance with the DMK.

The ruling TVK on Tuesday issued a strict directive to its cadres, warning of "stringent action" against anyone found causing public nuisance.

The directive explicitly bans the placement of banners and placards in public spaces that cause inconvenience to the people or obstruct traffic.

The directive comes as part of the move to reinforce the party's stated goal of prioritising public welfare.

In a statement issued on X by the party's General Secretary and Minister N Anand, the TVK leadership warned of "stringent action" against any member found violating these instructions, noting that the order has the explicit approval of the party president.

(PTI)

தலைமை நிலையச் செயலக அறிவிப்பு
கழகத் தோழர்கள் அனைவருக்கும் வணக்கம்.
தமிழ்நாட்டு மக்களின் நலன் ஒன்றையே குறிக்கோளாகக் கொண்டு தொடங்கப்பட்டதுதான் தமிழக வெற்றிக் கழகம். தமிழ்நாட்டு மக்களின் ஏகோபித்த நம்பிக்கையைப் பெற்ற, தமிழ்ச் சொந்தங்களின் குடும்பத்தில் ஒருவராக இருக்கக்கூடிய…

— TVK Party HQ (@TVKPartyHQ) May 12, 2026

Thiru Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, known as an astrologer associated with Chief Minister Vijay, has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister.

DMK Chief MK Stalin on Tuesday extended best wishes to JCD Prabhakar and Ravishankar for being elected as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, urging them to uphold the dignity of the House and ensure the opposition is heard.

In a post on X, Stalin emphasised the significance of the designations and affirmed that the two titleholders must uphold the "dignity of the assembly."

"My heartiest congratulations to Thiru. JCD Prabhakar, who has been elected as the Hon'ble Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, and to Thiru. Ravishankar, who has been elected as the Hon'ble Deputy Speaker of the Assembly. The two individuals seated in a position of honor graced by the greatest of personalities must uphold that tradition and the dignity of the Assembly," he said.

தமிழ்நாடு சட்டமன்றப் பேரவையின் மாண்புமிகு பேரவைத் தலைவராகத் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ள திரு. ஜே.சி.டி. பிரபாகர் அவர்களுக்கும், மாண்புமிகு பேரவைத் துணைத் தலைவராகத் தேர்ந்தெடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ள திரு. ரவிசங்கர் அவர்களுக்கும் எனது வாழ்த்துகள்.
மிகப் பெரும் ஆளுமைகளால் பெருமை பெற்ற பொறுப்பில்…

— M.K.Stalin - தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) May 12, 2026

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay will visit TNCC headquarters here on Wednesday afternoon, ahead of the crucial floor test the government is slated to face on May 13.

Congress spokesperson A Gopanna, in a statement, said Vijay will be meeting TNCC chief K Selvaperunthagai, AICC in-charge for TN, Girish Chodankar, AICC secretaries Suraj Hegde, Nivedith Alva and Congress party Legislative leader S Rajeshkumar at Sathyamurthy Bhavan, the party's headquarters.

Former TNCC presidents, central ministers, party MLAs and other senior leaders will also be present, he said.

Secretariat sources also said Vijay is also likely to meet VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan and Indian Union Muslim League (IMUL) leaders.

CM Vijay on Monday called on his predecessor, DMK president MK Stalin at the latter's Alwarpet residence here. He also called on MDMK founder Vaiko, PMK chief Anbumani Ramadoss and Tamil nationalist party, NTK's chief Seeman at their respective residences here. 

(PTI)

#WATCH | Chennai | AIADMK senior leaders and MLAs CV Shanmugam, SP Velumani and other supporting MLAs arrive at AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran Memorial at Marina beach after meeting Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker JCD Prabakaran. pic.twitter.com/btt77gEtc3

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2026

#WATCH | Chennai: On TASMAC shops near religious sites to be closed, Tamil Nadu Minister & TVK leader Selvi S. Keerthana says, "This is what the women had expected. On the second day itself, we have implemented it. The women are celebrating this announcement." pic.twitter.com/zQ5u0dOAOe

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2026

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Assembly | DMK MLA Thamimun Ansari says, "The BJP is the reason for the AIADMK Split. Now, the AIADMK is the party that ruled Tamil Nadu for more than 30 years. This kind of situation has come to AIADMK." pic.twitter.com/TeKRHKlT12

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2026

VIDEO | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: "Sanathanam that divides people should be abolished," says LoP Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Source: Third Party
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/uHH7CEQmeP

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 12, 2026

The Madras High Court on Tuesday restrained TVK candidate Srinivasa Sethupathi from participating in the Assembly confidence vote scheduled to take place later in the day.

Madras High Court passed the interim order on a plea moved by former DMK minister Periyakaruppan who lost to TVK candidate by one vote.

The order came while hearing a petition filed by former Tamil Nadu Minister KR Periyakaruppan, who sought to restrain Sethupathi from assuming office as an MLA over allegations that a postal ballot vote had been altered.

(ANI)

Kamal Haasan on Tuesday welcomed the Tamil Nadu government's decision to close 717 liquor shops, saying the move addresses long-standing public concerns about outlets near places of worship, schools and bus stands. 

Congratulating Chief Minister Vijay, he said the government must go further and focus on regulating alcohol rather than relying on liquor sales.

வழிபாட்டுத்தலங்கள், கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள் மற்றும் பேருந்து நிலையங்களுக்கு அருகேயுள்ள மதுபான விற்பனைக் கடைகளை அகற்ற வேண்டுமென்பது தமிழ்க் குடும்பங்களின் எதிர்பார்ப்பாக இருந்த நிலையில், இந்த நடவடிக்கையை மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர், தம்பி விஜய் @TVKVijayHQ அவர்கள் பதவிக்கு…

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) May 12, 2026

The Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Tuesday said that Tamil Nadu has finally witnessed a change in power. The transition follows a historic election where Vijay's party, TVK, secured the mandate of the Tamil people, breaking the traditional cycle of power between the DMK and AIADMK.

However, the Thackeray camp, in an editorial in the party's mouthpiece, 'Saamana', said that while the state celebrates, the road ahead is full of challenges. "Vijay's government holds only a slim majority. The report suggests that maintaining stability will be a challenge, particularly with the central influence of leaders like PM Modi and HM Shah in Delhi. The new Chief Minister, who is Christian, has pledged to be a leader for all religions, asserting that providing security to every citizen is his primary duty. As Vijay transitions from the silver screen to the secretariat, the nation watches to see if he can maintain his 'common man' image while navigating the complex realities of governance," it added.

(IANS)

VIDEO | Chennai: Tamil Nadu Assembly LoP Udhayanidhi Stalin says, "I, CM Vijay, Speaker Prabhakar all went to the same college but DMK is the senior batch in governance and we are ready to teach you."
Source: Third Party
(Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/JTTfh1OfYu

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 12, 2026

VIDEO | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: AIADMK MLA Edappadi K. Palaniswami says, "The more you give opportunity for the opposition to speak, the better the government can function."
Source: Third Party
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/y28BOnw6dd

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 12, 2026

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay will be referred to as "Puratchi Thalaivar," a title that translates to "Revolutionary Leader."

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay addresses first Assembly session
NDTV's @jsamdaniel joins @divyawadhwa with more details pic.twitter.com/VH7P4LMneI

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 12, 2026

Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday called for greater cooperation between the ruling government and the opposition, saying both sides must work together for Tamil Nadu's development. He added that this is what the people of the state expect.

"Even if we are on different sides as the ruling government and the opposition, we should all work together for the development of Tamil Nadu. This is also what the people want," he said.

The internal crisis within the AIADMK intensified on Tuesday after senior party leader and former Minister CV Shanmugam openly accused party General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) of attempting to explore a tie-up with the DMK and announced support for Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay-led TVK government.

Addressing the media along with senior AIADMK leaders, including former Minister S.P. Velumani, Shanmugam said the party was passing through one of the most difficult phases in its history after suffering consecutive electoral defeats.

"The AIADMK is facing continuous setbacks, and there is an urgent need to revive the party and restore the rule envisioned by MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa," he said.

Referring to the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in which the AIADMK was pushed to third place with only 47 seats, Shanmugam said the NDA led by the AIADMK has failed to win the confidence of the people, and the verdict has been accepted with humility.

(IANS)

VIDEO | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: "We are not in alliance with any party except TVK," says AIADMK MLA C. Ve. Shanmugam as he reaches the state secretariat.
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) https://t.co/KrWGwWYkZF pic.twitter.com/BtrmLqxrAt

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 12, 2026

#WATCH | Chennai | AIADMK leader CV Shanmugam says, "...Some people proposed that we, as the AIADMK legislative party, should form a government with the support of the DMK. This proposal goes against the founding principles of our party because the AIADMK was founded to uproot… pic.twitter.com/t2pjkbCn80

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2026

#WATCH | Chennai | AIADMK leader CV Shanmugam arrives at the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
He announced that AIADMK would extend support to the Vijay-led TVK government and the majority of the legislative party members elected SP Velumani as the Floor Leader of the AIADMK… pic.twitter.com/nSg8a2O2tt

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2026

Prabhakar, who was elected from the Thousand Lights constituency in the 2026 Assembly elections, defeated Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) candidate Ezhlian Naganathan.

He holds a B.L. degree from Madras Law College (1977) and a B.A. from Loyola College, University of Madras (1974). His declared assets stand at Rs 7,74,80,858, while his liabilities are Rs 2,51,20,360.

VIDEO | TVK legislator JCD Prabhakar selected unopposed as the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker's post on Tuesday.
Accompanied by party founder and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Prabhakar submitted the papers to Assembly principal secretary K Srinivasan. The 73-year-old leader was… pic.twitter.com/QdQt84DKKi

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 12, 2026

"AIADMK facing continuous defeat, must introspect" : AIADMK's CV Shanmugam faction announces support to TVK
NDTV's @jsamdaniel, @Vasudha156 & @DharanVija47684 join @ParmeshwarBawa with more details pic.twitter.com/cJJRiw8wo9

— NDTV (@ndtv) May 12, 2026

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) President C Joseph Vijay is likely to undertake his first official visit to New Delhi later this month for a series of high-level meetings with the country's top leadership following the formation of his government in the state.

According to highly placed sources, the two-day visit is likely to take place either during the third or final week of May, after the anticipated expansion of the Tamil Nadu Cabinet expected after May 18.

Sources indicated that the visit has been tentatively planned once the new administration completes key governance-related exercises and administrative restructuring in Chennai. During the proposed visit, Vijay is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu as part of customary engagements undertaken by newly elected Chief Ministers after assuming office.

He is also likely to hold discussions with Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

(IANS)

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is set to face its first major test in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Tuesday with the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

TVK has fielded senior leader JCD Prabhakar for the post of Speaker. A three-time legislator and former AIADMK leader, Prabhakar joined TVK ahead of the Assembly elections and later emerged as one of the key architects of the party's organisational structure and election manifesto.

The 73-year-old leader was elected from the Thousand Lights Assembly constituency in Chennai. Political observers believe Prabhakar is likely to be elected unopposed, given the numerical strength currently enjoyed by the ruling alliance in the Assembly.

(IANS)

A major crisis within the AIADMK is likely to erupt into open confrontation in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, as rival factions led by former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) and senior leader S.P. Velumani have staked claim to the party's leadership in the House, triggering intense political and legal debate.

The crisis unfolded during the Assembly proceedings on Monday after both Palaniswami and Velumani separately approached Pro-tem Speaker Karuppiah, each claiming to command the support of the majority of AIADMK MLAs and asserting their right to lead the party in the Assembly.

The unprecedented development has created uncertainty over who would be officially recognised as the AIADMK Legislature Party leader and who would exercise powers such as appointing the party whip and representing the party's position inside the Assembly.

(IANS)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has ordered the closure of 717 state-run liquor shops within 500 metres of temples, school, and bus stands across the state.

The shops - operated by TASMAC, or the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation, are to be shut within two weeks. The order is the first by the superstar actor and leader of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, which secured a dominant win in last month's Assembly election.