Congress to join Tamil Nadu Cabinet after nearly 60 years in TVK government expansion

The Congress is set to join the Tamil Nadu Cabinet for the first time in nearly six decades, with two MLAs taking oath as ministers in the TVK-led government. The move is seen as a major boost to alliance management and political stability.

Chennai: For the first time in nearly six decades, the Congress party is set to become part of the Tamil Nadu Cabinet as two of its MLAs are scheduled to take oath as ministers in the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government on Thursday.

The announcement came after Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge approved the induction of Congress MLAs S.Rajesh Kumar and P.Viswanathan into the state Cabinet led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

---

The move is being viewed as an important step in the evolving political landscape of Tamil Nadu and a significant strengthening of the alliance supporting the TVK government.

Confirming the development through a social media post and describing it as a landmark moment for the party, AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal said: “This is a historic occasion for us, as the Congress joins the Tamil Nadu cabinet after a long gap of 59 years.”

He also extended his best wishes to the two leaders and expressed confidence that they would work towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu while carrying forward a welfare-oriented governance model.

The Congress currently has five MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and emerged as a key supporting force for the TVK government following the Assembly election.

The support extended by Congress, along with alliance partners including Left parties, VCK and IUML, helped the Vijay-led administration comfortably cross the majority mark in the Assembly.

Political observers view the induction of Congress ministers as more than a routine Cabinet expansion. It is being seen as a calculated move by the TVK leadership to strengthen alliance management and provide greater representation to supporting parties while maintaining political stability.

The swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Thursday is expected to mark a new chapter in Tamil Nadu politics, with Congress returning to ministerial responsibility in the state after an absence spanning nearly six decades.