Tamil Nadu Cabinet Expansion: VCK, IUML Set To Join Vijay's Govt, Oath-Taking Today

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government is set to complete its Council of Ministers on Friday, when Vanni Arasu of VCK and AM Shahjahan of IUML will be sworn in as Ministers at Lok Bhavan in the presence of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.

With their induction, the TVK Ministry will reach the maximum constitutional strength for a state cabinet. The two parties had extended outside support earlier, but both have now confirmed that they will directly participate in the TVK government after internal consultations.

TVK Ministry and TVK government gain VCK participation

VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan said the party chose to join the TVK Ministry after TVK issued an open invitation. He explained that VCK consulted key leaders, and the majority view supported participation.

Thirumavalavan confirmed that Vanni Arasu’s name has been recommended for a Minister post in the TVK government.

Speaking to reporters, Thirumavalavan stressed that VCK’s decision followed hours of discussion within the organisation. When asked about the party’s ties with the DMK, Thirumavalavan said that “all other issues would be discussed later,” indicating that questions on alliance equations would be addressed at another stage.

IUML role in TVK Ministry and TVK government

Earlier, IUML State president KM Kader Mohideen announced that Papanasam MLA AM Shahjahan had been selected for a Minister berth in the TVK government. Mohideen said this was finalised at an IUML office-bearers meeting. Later, IUML leaders met Chief Minister C Vijay Joseph at the State secretariat and formally conveyed the decision.

At a Chennai press conference, Mohideen recalled that IUML MLAs Syed Farooq Basha from Vaniyampadi and AM Shahjahan had already offered unconditional outside support to the TVK government. Mohideen said, “The TVK leadership magnanimously informed us that one MLA could be made Minister. It is an unexpected request, and we considered that and have made a decision.”

Mohideen also said the IUML had informed DMK president MK Stalin about joining the TVK Ministry, and that Stalin had congratulated the party. Asked if IUML would leave the DMK-led alliance now that it will be part of the TVK alliance, Mohideen replied, “Our joining the Cabinet is not about joining the alliance.” On another question, Mohideen added, “We will make a decision when the local body elections approach.”

Wider cabinet move in TVK Ministry and TVK government

The TVK government had already expanded its cabinet on Thursday, 21 May, by inducting 23 more legislators as Ministers, including two Congress MLAs. According to the government, 21 of the new Ministers are from TVK itself, strengthening the party’s representation within the TVK Ministry.

Among those who took oath that day were 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 and Vignesh K, all joining the expanded TVK Ministry within the TVK government.

With VCK and IUML now moving from external support to direct roles in the TVK Ministry, the TVK government secures a broader political base. At the same time, both parties have kept their future alliance choices open, signalling that decisions on electoral adjustments will be timed closer to upcoming local body elections.