Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is set to expand his cabinet on Thursday by inducting two Congress legislators as ministers. The move comes after weeks of speculation and criticism over the delay in filling nearly 20 vacant portfolios. According to sources familiar with the development, the induction will take place at 10 a.m. at Lok Bhavan, with Governor R V Arlekar, who holds additional charge of Tamil Nadu, arriving in Chennai on Wednesday night to administer the oath.
Congress MLAs to be Sworn In
Congress floor leader K Rajesh Kumar, who represents the Killiyoor constituency, and P Viswanathan, the MLA from Melur, are expected to be sworn in as ministers. A Congress leader expressed excitement over the development, stating, "We will be part of a ministry in Tamil Nadu after six decades. A long dream of our cadres is coming true." The leader added that national Congress leaders are unlikely to attend the ceremony. Notably, Congress MLA Tharahai Cuthbert from Colachel had also lobbied for a cabinet berth but was not selected in this round.
AIADMK Faction Excluded
Members of the AIADMK faction led by former ministers C Ve Shanmugam and S P Velumani will not be included in this cabinet expansion. Sources indicated that the delay in expanding the ministry was partly due to plans to induct AIADMK members opposed to party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami. However, parties supporting the Vijay government, including VCK and CPM, have publicly opposed the induction of AIADMK members. CPM state secretary P Shanmugam warned, "It will go against the people's verdict. It is against TVK's clean governance plank. My party would reconsider its support if TVK inducts any of the AIADMK MLAs."
Vacant Portfolios and Criticism
Chief Minister Vijay has faced criticism for leaving nearly 20 departments without ministers, including agriculture, higher education, revenue and disaster management, transport, housing and urban development, MSME, commercial taxes, Hindu religious and charitable endowments, and fisheries. The delay in filling these portfolios has raised concerns about governance and administrative efficiency. The induction of Congress MLAs is seen as a step towards addressing this issue, but the exclusion of AIADMK faction members may prolong the vacancy in key departments.
Political analysts suggest that the cabinet expansion is a balancing act for Vijay, who must manage coalition dynamics while fulfilling his promise of clean governance. The inclusion of Congress MLAs strengthens the ruling alliance, but the absence of AIADMK members could strain ties with the faction. Meanwhile, opposition parties continue to criticize the government for its slow pace in forming a full council of ministers.
