Return of the coalition era in TN after 74 years, AIADMK rebels left out in cabinet expansion

Brimming with young faces, the cabinet expansion of Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on Thursday, which witnessed the entry of the Congress into government after 59 years and the induction of 7 Dalits, also marked the return of the coalition era in Tamil Nadu after 1952.

Along with 21 MLAs from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, two Congress legislators were inducted into the ministry, one of them, P Viswanathan, received the coveted Higher Education portfolio. Contrary to the expectations of rebel AIADMK leaders, none of them, including C Ve Shanumgam, SP Velumani and C Vijayabhaskar, made it to the ministry because Vijay was reportedly unwilling to accommodate them, as they face disqualification proceedings. Furthermore, the CPI(M) has threatened to reconsider extending outside support to the government.

Advertisement

Bringing curtains down on the single-party rule of the Dravidian parties – DMK and AIADMK, this new government has many firsts to its credit. This is the first time that seven Dalits, two Brahmins and four women have become ministers. And, for the first time since 1952, Tamil Nadu is getting a coalition government. Then, it was the composite Madras State, and C Rajagopalachari @ Rajaji formed the coalition government when the Congress lacked a majority. He secured the support of two non-Congress parties, denying the CPI, the single largest party, the opportunity to form the ministry. Interestingly, Rajaji had not contested the election but was sworn in by Governor Sri Prakasa, subsequently becoming a member of the Legislative Council.

While the Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK) of Thol Thirumavalavan has yet to decide on joining the government, the IUML, has made up its mind to step in. The League’s MLA, Shajahan, is expected to be sworn in on Friday. Within the VCK, pressure is on Thirumavalavan to join the ministry and vacate his MP post so he can contest from Trichy East, one of the two seats Vijay vacated.

With a mix of youth and experience, this cabinet is reminiscent of Dravidian stalwart ‘Anna’ CN Annadurai in 1967, when the DMK under him defeated the Congress, and the iconic film star and AIADMK founder, MG Ramachandran, in 1977. Both cabinets featured many young faces who lacked both a political background and a legacy. Both were watershed moments in the state’s political history, and Vijay appears to be basking in the glory of bringing underdogs to power.

However, controversy continued to haunt the new government over pushing the Tamil anthem, the official state song, to third place after Vande Mataram and the national anthem, with both allies and the Opposition condemning the action. At the swearing-in of Vijay and nine other ministers, the Tamil anthem was sung only after the other two, which raised the hackles of the DMK and the TVK’s allies. Many pointed out that even in West Bengal, Vande Mataram was not sung during the swearing-in of the BJP Chief Minister, an event graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Consequently, Governor VR Arlekar has been criticised, and the new government is being asked to be vigilant instead of being subservient.