Tamil Nadu: Vijay-led TVK govt expected to expand Cabinet on May 21

C. Joseph Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in Tamil Nadu is reportedly gearing up for its first Cabinet expansion on Thursday, May 21. It is looking forward to a crucial political balancing act that is aimed at addressing alliance expectations, regional representation, and internal party dynamics.

The final round of consultations on the ministerial list is nearing completion ahead of a likely swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Thursday morning, IANS quoted sources as saying.

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Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who is currently holding additional charge, could arrive Chennai on Wednesday evening to oversee the formalities related to the expansion.

The insiders have claimed that the state government is likely to accommodate alliance partner Congress in the expanded Cabinet, with two Congress legislators emerging as leading contenders for ministerial positions.

Amid speculations over possible Cabinet berths for members of the AIADMK faction led by CV Shanmugam and SP Velumani, sources told IANS that the ruling leadership might have stepped back from such a move after strong opposition from alliance partners, including Congress, Left parties and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior Tamil Nadu minister said that there had never been any formal discussion regarding the induction of AIADMK legislators into the Cabinet. The minister added that their support during the confidence vote in state Assembly was merely political support extended on the floor of the House.

Meanwhile, sources have shared that legal advisers as well a s alliance partners have warned against taking politically sensitive decisions which might potentially create instability at the beginning of the government’s tenure.

Also, intense lobbying is said to have begun within the TVK, with several first-time MLAs and influential party functionaries pushing for representation in the Cabinet.