New Delhi: The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government led by Joseph Vijay expanded its cabinet on Thursday with 23 legislators taking oath as ministers in a significant reshuffle aimed at strengthening governance and alliance coordination across Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly inducted ministers during a ceremony attended by senior political leaders and alliance partners. Among those present was Thol Thirumavalavan, chief of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, which is supporting the new government.
Of the 23 ministers inducted, 19 belong to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, while two are from the Indian National Congress. The cabinet expansion is being seen as a strategic move by the Vijay administration to maintain regional balance, address caste equations and strengthen its coalition structure.
Sources indicated that two ministerial positions have been kept vacant for alliance partners Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League, both of which currently have two MLAs each and are considered crucial allies for the government.
The newly sworn in ministers represent constituencies from across the state, including Chennai, Coimbatore, Salem, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari districts. Among those inducted into the cabinet are Srinath from Thoothukudi, Kamali S from Avinashi, R V Ranjithkumar from Kancheepuram, Rajeev from Thiruvadanai, B Rajkumar from Cuddalore, Jegadeshwari K from Rajapalayam, M Vijay Balaji from Erode East, Kumar R from Velachery and V Sampath Kumar from Coimbatore North.
The oath taking ceremony also featured the playing of “Vande Mataram” at the beginning, while the Tamil anthem was played at the conclusion of the event.
