With Chief Minister Joseph Vijay expected to expand his cabinet on Thursday, the Congress is set to enter the government in Tamil Nadu after more than half a century.
This will mark Tamil Nadu’s first coalition government, heralding a new era in governance. Vijay appears committed to sharing power with alliance partners, signalling a shift in the state’s political culture.
More than a week has passed since Vijay assumed office as Chief Minister along with nine other ministers, all from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). As such, the cabinet expansion is considered long overdue. Since Governor VR Arlekar is arriving from Kerala on Wednesday evening, the expansion of the ministry is expected to take place on Thursday.
The Congress, which has five legislators, is likely to secure two ministerial berths. While Congress Legislature Party leader S. Rajeshkumar appears certain to be inducted, there is reportedly intense competition for the second slot between P. Viswanathan, considered close to P. Chidambaram, and Tharagai Cuthbert, a woman legislator.
Without hesitation in severing ties with the DMK, the grand old party was the first to extend support to Vijay’s TVK, which had fallen short of a majority. Besides two ministerial berths, the Congress is also expected to secure a Rajya Sabha seat vacated by rebel AIADMK legislator C.Ve. Shanmugam.
The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), led by Thol Thirumavalavan, which extended unconditional support along with the Left parties and the IUML, is also expected to join the ministry.
According to sources, the cabinet expansion has been delayed due to the ongoing rift within the AIADMK, with no immediate resolution in sight. The rebel faction led by C.Ve. Shanmugam, S.P. Velumani, and C. Vijayabhaskar had supported the trust vote against the party directive, prompting AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami to approach the Speaker seeking disqualification of the 25 rebel legislators.
Legal experts believe there is no impediment to Vijay inducting some of the rebels into his ministry. However, discussions over accommodating them have reportedly taken time.
Meanwhile, there is also intense lobbying within the TVK for ministerial berths. The party is expected to retain the lion’s share of cabinet positions.