Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar swore in 23 new ministers at Lok Bhavan in Chennai on Thursday, May 21, 2026 [1].
This cabinet expansion marks a significant political shift in Tamil Nadu, as the Congress party returns to the state government for the first time in 59 years [1]. The move solidifies a coalition led by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and seeks to dismantle the long-standing political dominance of the DMK and AIADMK parties [1, 2].
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay attended the ceremony where the governor administered the oaths of office [1]. The expansion brings the total size of the Tamil Nadu Council of Ministers to 33 members [2]. Among the new appointees are two members of the Legislative Assembly from the Congress party [3].
The restructuring follows recent state elections and the subsequent formation of the TVK-led coalition government [1, 2]. By incorporating alliance partners into the ministry, the administration aims to secure a stable majority, and implement its legislative agenda across the state [1, 2].
The ceremony at Lok Bhavan served as the formal launch of the expanded executive body [1]. The inclusion of the Congress party is a strategic pivot for the TVK alliance, reintegrating a national party into the state's governance structure after nearly six decades of absence [1, 3].
“Congress returns to the state government for the first time in 59 years”
The reentry of the Congress party into the Tamil Nadu cabinet signals a departure from the bipolar political era dominated by the DMK and AIADMK. By forming a broad coalition under the TVK, the current administration is attempting to create a new power center in South India that blends regional strength with national party alignment to ensure legislative stability.
