CM Joseph Vijay expands Tamil Nadu Cabinet with VCK and IUML ministers

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay expanded his Cabinet on Friday by inducting two new ministers: VCK leader Vanni Arasu and IUML legislator A M Shahjahan. The appointment, administered by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at a ceremony in Chennai, raised the total number of ministers to the constitutional limit of 35, including the Chief Minister. This marks the first coalition government in Tamil Nadu’s history, broadening the TVK-led alliance with support from Congress and Left parties. The inclusion of VCK and IUML representatives reflects Vijay’s commitment to diversifying his Cabinet, now featuring eight Dalit ministers, two Brahmins, and five ministers from minority religions. Vanni Arasu, a close aide to VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan, called the appointment a realization of their party’s vision, while IUML’s A M Shahjahan, elected from Papanasam, joined the government alongside VCK’s Tindivanam MLA. The move drew criticism from the DMK, with senior leader A Raja accusing the parties of opportunism through social media posts. DMK president M K Stalin later intervened to de-escalate tensions, though Raja’s metaphorical comparison of political alliances to a ‘coconut tree’ bending toward a neighbor sparked further backlash. VCK condemned Raja’s remarks as insulting to women, while TVK minister Aadhav Arjuna demanded an apology. Rebel AIADMK leader SP Velumani dismissed claims that his group backed the TVK government for ministerial posts, insisting their support was for the people’s mandate. The Cabinet expansion, however, underscores the TVK government’s stability by integrating key minority and Dalit voices, a first for Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. The induction of Shahjahan and Arasu also highlights the government’s push for inclusive representation, with ministers now spanning diverse communities. The controversy with the DMK, however, underscores lingering political rivalries amid the coalition’s historic formation.