23 MLAs from TVK, Congress sworn into Vijay's Cabinet
What's the story
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has expanded his cabinet with the induction of 23 new ministers. The swearing-in ceremony was held in Chennai on Thursday morning after Governor Arlekar approved their appointments. This is the second major expansion of the Vijay-led TVK government after recent Assembly elections. Among the 23 MLAs, 21 MLAs are from Vijay's TVK party and two from the ally Congress.
Diverse representation
New ministers sworn in today
The new Council of Ministers includes MLAs from different constituencies. Among them are Srinath (Thoothukudi), Kamal (Avinashi), C Vijayalakshmi (Kumarapalayam), RV Ranjithkumar (Kancheepuram) and Vinoth (Kumbakonam). Others include Rajeev (Thiruvadanai), B Rajkumar (Cuddalore) and V Gandhiraj (Arakkonam). The list also features Mathan Raja P from Ottapidaram, K Jegadeshwar from Rajapalayam, S Rajesh Kumar from Congress and M Vijay Bala from Erode East.
Twitter Post
Watch oath-taking here
#WATCH | Chennai | TVK and Congress MLAs take oath as Tamil Nadu Ministers in the presence of CM Vijay and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
— ANI (@ANI) May 21, 2026
The CM has recommended to induct 23 MLAs into the Council of Ministers and the state Governor approved the recommendation made by the… pic.twitter.com/6Svw7eJZKb
Cabinet details
More MLAs included in the list
The remaining new ministers are Logesh Tamilselvan D (Rasipuram), Vijay Tamilan Parthiban A (Salem South), Ramesh (Srirangam), P Viswanathan (Melur) from Congress and Kumar R (Velachery). They will also include K Thennarasu from Sriperumbudur, V Sampath Kumar from Coimbatore North and Mohamed Farvas from Aranthangi. D Sarathkumar from Tambaram, N Marie Wilson from Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar and Vignesh K from Kinathukadavu also took oath.
Congress
Congress returns after 59 years
This marks the first time Congress will have ministers in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet in 59 years, with the induction of MLAs Rajesh Kumar and Viswanathan. From 1952 to 1967, the Congress led the government of the then Madras state. It had three Chief ministers—C Rajagopalachari, K Kamaraj, and M Bhaktavatsalam — before the DMK deposed it in 1967. However, even after partnering with both the DMK and AIADMK, the Congress has never been part of the state government since.
Portfolio retention
CM Vijay retains key portfolios
In this cabinet expansion, CM Vijay has retained key portfolios such as Home, Public, General Administration, Police, Municipal Administration and Urban Water Supply. He will also look after Special Programme Implementation and Women and Youth Welfare. Other departments under his charge include Children Welfare Department Senior Citizens Welfare Department Differently Abled Persons Welfare Department IAS IPS IFS District Revenue Services.