Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay expanded the Tamil Nadu cabinet on Thursday, swearing in 23 MLAs at Lok Bhavan in Chennai [1], [2].
The expansion is a significant political shift as it brings the Indian National Congress back into the state government for the first time in 59 years [3].
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath to the new ministers. The group includes two members of the Congress party and between 19 and 21 members of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) [2], [4]. While some reports state 21 TVK members were inducted, others list the number as 19 [4].
Chief Minister Vijay recommended the induction of these 23 MLAs to broaden his coalition government [1], [3]. This ceremony takes place nearly two weeks after the government was first formed [3].
"CM wants the Cabinet to function like one family," said Aadhav Arjuna, a TVK minister [1].
The inclusion of the Congress party is viewed as a historic realignment in the state's governance. Girish Chodankar, the AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu, said the inclusion of party MLAs in the cabinet heralds a turning point in the political history of Tamil Nadu [3].
Editorial observers noted that the Congress is poised to join the TVK-led government after being out of power in the state for nearly six decades [3].
“"CM wants the Cabinet to function like one family."”
The induction of Congress ministers into a TVK-led government represents a major shift in Tamil Nadu's political landscape, ending a 59-year period of exclusion for the national party. By expanding the cabinet shortly after formation, Chief Minister Vijay is consolidating a broader coalition to ensure stability and political reach across different voter demographics in the state.
