Congress Returns To Tamil Nadu Cabinet After 59 Years, Two MLAs To Take Oath In Vijay's TVK Govt

The Congress party is set to return to the Tamil Nadu cabinet after a gap of nearly six decades, with two of its MLAs preparing to take oath as ministers in Chief Minister Vijay's government on Thursday. The announcement was made by Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Wednesday.

KC Venugopal Calls It A "Historic Occasion"

Confirming the development, Venugopal said Congress MLAs Rajesh Kumar and P Vishwanathan would become part of the Tamil Nadu government.

"This is a historic occasion for us, as the Congress joins the Tamil Nadu cabinet after a long gap of 59 years," Venugopal wrote in a post on X while extending his wishes to the two leaders.

The move marks a major political moment for the Congress in the state, where the party has largely remained outside the ruling structure for decades.

Congress Was Among First Parties To Back Vijay-Led TVK

The Congress, which secured five seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, was among the earliest parties to support the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) after the party fell short of the numbers required to form a government on its own.

Following the declaration of results on May 4, the actor-turned-politician's party emerged as a major force in the state's political landscape. However, it required support from other parties to cross the majority mark in the Assembly.

Over the next few days, several political parties extended their backing to TVK, paving the way for Vijay to form the government after a strong debut performance in state politics.

Vijay Government Expands Political Reach

The inclusion of Congress leaders in the cabinet is being viewed as an effort to strengthen the coalition arrangement supporting the TVK government. It also reflects the evolving political equations in Tamil Nadu following the Assembly elections.

Rajesh Kumar and P Vishwanathan are expected to take oath as ministers on Thursday, officially marking Congress' return to the state cabinet after nearly six decades.

Vijay's Rise Continues After Debut Poll Success

Vijay's entry into politics through TVK has already reshaped the political conversation in Tamil Nadu. His party's performance in the Assembly elections surprised many observers and quickly positioned him at the centre of state politics.

The support from Congress and other parties played a crucial role in enabling the formation of the government, turning Vijay's first electoral outing into a historic political breakthrough.