TVK Government Expands Cabinet With 23 New Ministers, Congress Joins Tamil Nadu Government After 59 Years

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay expanded its Cabinet on Thursday, May 21, 2026, with the induction of 23 new ministers, including two Congress MLAs.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at Lok Bhavan in Chennai, where Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to the new ministers. Earlier, 10 ministers, including Chief Minister Vijay, had taken oath on May 10, 2026.

The latest Cabinet expansion is politically significant as the Congress party has joined the Tamil Nadu government after a gap of 59 years.

Among the prominent inductees is A. Srinath, a longtime friend of Chief Minister Vijay and actor who began his film career alongside him in “Naalaiya Theerpu” in 1992. Srinath, who won from Thoothukudi by defeating former DMK Minister P. Geetha Jeevan, has been appointed Minister for Fisheries and Fisheries Development.

S. Kamali, one of the youngest ministers in the Cabinet at the age of 28, has been given the Animal Husbandry portfolio. She defeated Union Minister of State L. Murugan in the Avinashi constituency.

Senior TVK leader C. Vijayalakshmi, who defeated former AIADMK Minister P. Thangamani in Kumarapalayam, has been appointed Minister for Milk and Dairy Development.

R.V. Ranjithkumar, elected from Kancheepuram, has been allotted the Forests portfolio, while R. Vinoth from Kumbakonam has become Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.

Doctor-turned-politician V.K. Rajeev, elected from Thiruvadanai, has been appointed Minister for Environment and Climate Change.

B. Rajkumar from Cuddalore has taken charge of Housing and Urban Development, while V. Gandhiraj from Arakkonam has been allotted the Co-operation portfolio.

P. Mathan Raja from Ottapidaram has been appointed MSME Minister, and K. Jegadeeshwari from Rajapalayam will head Social Welfare and Women Empowerment.

Congress leader S. Rajesh Kumar, elected for the third consecutive term from Killiyoor, has been given the Tourism portfolio. Another Congress MLA, P. Viswanathan, has become Minister for Higher Education.

M. Vijay Balaji has been allotted Handlooms, Textiles, and Khadi, while D. Logesh Tamilselvan, son of former Assembly Speaker P. Dhanapal, has become Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration.

A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban has taken charge as Transport Minister, and S. Ramesh has become Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments.

R. Kumar from Velachery has been appointed Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology, and Digital Services, reflecting the government’s focus on technology and digital governance.

K. Thennarasu has been assigned the Non-Resident Tamils Welfare portfolio, while V. Sampathkumar has become Minister for Backward Classes Welfare.

J. Mohamed Farvas has been appointed Minister for Labour Welfare and Skill Development. D. Sarathkumar has taken charge of Human Resources Management and Ex-Servicemen Welfare.

N. Marie Wilson has been entrusted with the crucial Finance portfolio, which was earlier held by K.A. Sengottaiyan. Meanwhile, K. Vignesh has become Minister for Prohibition and Excise.

The Cabinet expansion is seen as a major political step by Chief Minister Vijay to strengthen governance and widen representation across regions and communities in Tamil Nadu.