Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay expanded his cabinet by inducting 23 additional ministers to secure a stable coalition majority [1].
The expansion marks a significant shift in the state's political landscape, as it brings the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Viduthalai Chirukha Party (VCK) into the power table [2]. This move is designed to solidify the TVK government's hold on the legislature following the recent election [3].
The cabinet now consists of 35 members in total [2]. This restructuring follows the decision of the Congress party to join the government, an occurrence that has not happened in 59 years [1].
To maintain a working majority in the 234-seat Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, the administration required a broader base of support [4]. With the addition of the IUML and VCK, which have provided unconditional backing to Vijay, the chief minister now commands the support of 120 MLAs [3].
Senior DMK leader A. Raja said the expansion comes as the new coalition takes shape. The induction of representatives from various allied parties is intended to ensure a more inclusive governing body, one that reflects the diverse political interests supporting the TVK's debut win [3].
The expansion comes as the administration seeks to balance various party demands while maintaining executive efficiency. By distributing portfolios among the 23 new inductees, Vijay aims to stabilize his leadership and prevent internal friction within the coalition [1, 2].
“The cabinet now consists of 35 members in total.”
The expansion of the cabinet is a strategic move to ensure legislative survival and political stability. By incorporating the IUML, VCK, and Congress, Vijay is transitioning from a narrow victory to a broad-based coalition. This reduces the risk of government collapse and allows the TVK to govern with a comfortable majority of 120 members in the 234-seat assembly, though it may increase the complexity of decision-making due to the diverse interests of the coalition partners.
