Vijay Breaks Tradition in Tamil Nadu Assembly, Sits Alongside Cabinet Ministers

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay made an unusual move during the State Assembly proceedings on Thursday, August 27, when he left his designated seat and joined Cabinet ministers in the front row.

Vijay, the founder of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), is normally seated in a chair positioned close to the Speaker’s seat, while ministers occupy separate seats in the front row based on seniority.

During the afternoon session, however, Vijay left his designated chair to sit between TVK ministers KA Sengottaiyan and Aadhav Arjuna.

According to sources cited by India Today, the move was unprecedented for a sitting Chief Minister. While ministers and MLAs sometimes switch seats to speak with colleagues, it is unusual for a Chief Minister to leave the designated CM seat and sit among Cabinet members.

Since taking office, actor-turned-politician Vijay has attracted attention for his distinctive working style and approach to administrative and government matters.

TVK FORMS GOVERNMENT WITH ALLIES

The development comes months after the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, in which the TVK emerged as the single-largest party by winning 108 of the 234 seats.

However, the party fell short of the majority mark and subsequently formed the government with support from the Congress and other allies, with Vijay becoming Chief Minister.

UDHAYANIDHI RAISES SECRETARIES’ ABSENCE

During Thursday’s proceedings, Leader of the Opposition and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin also questioned the absence of department secretaries from the Assembly.

While discussing the Karur stampede and other issues, Udhayanidhi recalled that senior bureaucrats and former Chief Minister MK Stalin had been present in the House during important discussions under the previous DMK government.

Responding to the criticism, TVK minister Aadhav Arjuna said the department secretaries were not absent from the proceedings but were stationed in an adjoining “war room”.

He said the officials were monitoring the Assembly proceedings and taking note of the concerns and issues raised by legislators.