Who are Senthil Kumar and Laxmi Priya IAS appointed as Secretaries I and II for New Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay

The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday appointed P Senthilkumar as Additional Chief Secretary and Secretary-I to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, and G Laxmi Priya as Secretary-II to the Chief Minister, according to an official order issued after the swearing-in ceremony of the new government, reports ANI.

P Senthilkumar, who was serving as Additional Chief Secretary to the Health and Family Welfare Department, was transferred and posted as Additional Chief Secretary and Secretary-I to the Chief Minister. G Laxmi Priya, previously Secretary to the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, was transferred and appointed as Secretary-II to the Chief Minister.

The government order stated that the posts of Additional Chief Secretary/Secretary-I to the Chief Minister and Secretary-II to the Chief Minister would carry status and responsibilities equivalent to the cadre posts of Chief Secretary and Registrar of Cooperative Societies respectively under the IAS (Pay) Rules, 2016.

Vijay sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister

Earlier in the day, TVK chief C Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and formally assumed office at the Secretariat in Fort St George, Chennai.

Addressing a gathering at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium after taking oath, Vijay described his government as the beginning of a “new era” of “real, secular and social justice.”

The actor-turned-politician said he entered politics to “repay the debt” owed to the people after leaving behind his cinema career. He said he came from an ordinary background and viewed himself as part of the people’s family rather than someone from a privileged lineage.

“I do not come from a royal family. I am just like your son, your daughter, your elder brother, or your younger brother,” Vijay said.

Promises of transparency and governance reforms

Vijay said his government would function transparently and promised to release a white paper after reviewing the financial condition of the state.

He alleged that the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government had left Tamil Nadu with debt exceeding Rs 10 lakh crore and claimed the state treasury had been depleted before the change in administration.

The Chief Minister said his government would not operate secretly and assured people that all major actions would be carried out openly.

He also promised measures to strengthen women’s safety, tackle drug abuse and maintain law and order across the state.

Political journey and election victory

Often referred to as “Thalapathy”, Vijay drew significant crowds during election rallies, leading to comparisons with former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M G Ramachandran and actor-politician Vijayakanth.

Although his party TVK was launched in 2024, Vijay had long been associated with social work and socio-political themes through his films.

In the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Vijay won from Perambur and Trichy East constituencies and is expected to resign from one of the two seats.