Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and a large cohort of legislators officially took their oaths as members of the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday, May 11, 2026. The ceremony in Chennai saw the Chief Minister, nine Cabinet colleagues, and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin among those sworn in.
The proceedings were conducted in the presence of Pro-tem Speaker M.V. Karuppaiah, the TVK legislator from the Sholavandan (SC) constituency, who had been administered his own oath of office the previous Sunday, May 10. Along with the current leadership, former Chief Ministers Edappadi K. Palaniswami of the AIADMK, and O. Panneerselvam, now with the DMK, were among the 218 other members who took the oath.
Internal Friction and Notable Absences
Despite the broad participation, the session was marked by the absence of AIADMK senior member C.Ve. Shanmugam. The MLA-elect from the Mailam constituency, who leads a rival group of elected representatives within the AIADMK, did not take his oath on Monday despite arriving at the Secretariat in Chennai.
This absence comes as Shanmugam continues to hold consultations with a significant group of party MLAs, highlighting potential divisions within the AIADMK as the new assembly begins its term.
Leadership Nominations for the 17th Assembly
Following the swearing-in, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government moved to establish the House’s leadership. Chief Minister Vijay handed nomination papers to Assembly Secretary K. Srinivasan for the post of Speaker, nominating Thousand Lights MLA J.C.D. Prabhakar.
the Chief Minister nominated Thuraiyur MLA M. Ravisankar for the position of Deputy Speaker. These nominations set the stage for the formal election of the House’s presiding officers.
Next Steps for the Assembly
The legislative body is expected to finalize its leadership shortly. The election for the posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 12, at 9:30 am.
The outcome of this election may determine the procedural tone of the 17th Assembly, while the eventual status of C.Ve. Shanmugam’s oath could potentially impact the AIADMK’s cohesive presence in the House.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who administered the oath to the newly elected MLAs?
The oath was administered by Pro-tem Speaker M.V. Karuppaiah, who is the TVK legislator representing the Sholavandan (SC) constituency.
Which candidates have been nominated for Speaker and Deputy Speaker?
Thousand Lights MLA J.C.D. Prabhakar has been nominated for Speaker, and Thuraiyur MLA M. Ravisankar has been nominated for Deputy Speaker.
Why is the House strength 233 instead of a higher number?
The strength of the House is 233 because Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay resigned from his second seat in Tiruchi East.
How might the internal divisions within the AIADMK affect the early sessions of the 17th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly?
