Tamil Nadu Cabinet Expansion: 19 TVK And 2 Congress MLAs Among 23 Sworn-In As Ministers

Tamil Nadu Cabinet Expansion: 19 TVK And 2 Congress MLAs Among 23 Sworn-In As Ministers Published By, Last Updated: May 21, 2026, 11:00 IST Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay expands Cabinet as 23 MLAs, including 19 from TVK and 2 from Congress, take oath, with portfolios reserved for allies VCK and IUML File image of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. (Source: PTI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday expanded his Cabinet, with 23 MLAs taking oath as ministers in the Council of Ministers. Of the 23 inductees, 19 MLAs from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), while two legislators from ally Congress were sworn in as ministers, in the presence of CM Vijay and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. According to sources, two ministerial berths have been kept vacant for alliance partners Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), though both parties are yet to finalise the names of their representatives. Follow Live Updates Here The VCK and IUML, which have two MLAs each in the Assembly, are considered key allies for the TVK-led government. The TVK MLAs who took oath today include Srinath, Kamali S, C Vijayalakshmi, RV Ranjithkumar, Vinoth, Rajeev, B Rajkumar, V Gandhiraj, Mathan Raja P, Jegadeshwari K, Rajesh Kumar S, M Vijay Balaji, Logesh Tamilselvan D, Vijay Tamilan Parthiban A, Ramesh, P Viswanathan, Kumar R, Thennarasu K, V Sampath Kumar, Mohamed Farvas J, D Sarathkumar, N Marie Wilson, Vignesh K. The two Congress MLAs, who took oath in the Vijay-led government, are Rajesh Kumar and Thiru P. Vishwanathan. Also Read: Congress’ 59-Year Wait In Tamil Nadu Ends As Two MLAs Set To Join Vijay’s Cabinet During the oath-taking ceremony, Vande Mataram was played at the beginning and Tamil anthem was played after the national song. TVK Invites CPI, CPM To Formally Join Coalition Ministry The TVK leadership has been inviting VCK, CPI, CPM and IUML, which are currently extending outside support to the government, to join the coalition ministry formally. “Chief Minister has reiterated it. That is his wish and dream too. We expect good news. We’d want VCK chief Thol Thirumavalanan too to join the cabinet," said Tamil Nadu Public Works and Sports Minister Aadhav Arjuna on Tuesday. On May 10, Vijay took oath as Tamil Nadu’s chief minister, along with nine ministers. Under constitutional provisions, he can appoint up to 35 ministers, which is 15% of the total strength of the Assembly. With 23 more ministers sworn in today, the strength of the council of ministers has risen to 32, leaving three vacancies that could potentially be allocated to allies such as the VCK and the IUML. Also Read: CPM Warns Vijay It May Reconsider Support If TVK Aligns With AIADMK The induction of Congress legislators into the ministry also marks a significant political moment for Tamil Nadu. This will be the first time in almost 60 years that the Congress becomes part of the state government. The party last governed the state under former chief minister M. Bhaktavatsalam, whose tenure ended in March 1967. In the landmark 1967 Assembly elections, the Congress was voted out of power by the DMK led by C. N. Annadurai. Since then, the party has remained out of government in the state until joining the Vijay-led administration now. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 21, 2026, 10:14 IST News india Tamil Nadu Cabinet Expansion: 19 TVK And 2 Congress MLAs Among 23 Sworn-In As Ministers Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...