Chennai, May 21:
In a significant political development, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has recommended the induction of 23 MLAs into the Tamil Nadu Council of Ministers, marking the first expansion of the Cabinet after the formation of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government on May 10.
The proposal, which includes representation from alliance partner Congress, received approval from Governor-in-charge Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. The swearing-in ceremony of the ministers-designate is scheduled to take place at Lok Bhavan shortly, according to an official release.
Among those set to be inducted into the Cabinet are Srinath (Thoothukudi), Kamali S (Avinashi), C. Vijayalakshmi (Kumarapalayam), R.V. Ranjithkumar (Kancheepuram), Vinoth (Kumbakonam), Rajeev (Thiruvadanai), B. Rajkumar (Cuddalore), V. Gandhiraj (Arakkonam), P. Mathan Raja (Ottapidaram), K. Jegadeshwari (Rajapalayam), M. Vijay Balaji (Erode East), D. Logesh Tamilselvan (Rasipuram), A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban (Salem South), Ramesh (Srirangam), R. Kumar (Velachery), K. Thennarasu (Sriperumpudhur), V. Sampath Kumar (Coimbatore North), J. Mohamed Farvas (Aranthangi), D. Sarathkumar (Tambaram), N. Marie Wilson (Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar), and K. Vignesh (Kinathukadavu).
In addition, Congress legislators P. Viswanathan (Melur) and S. Rajesh Kumar (Killiyoor) are also among those who will take oath as ministers, reflecting the coalition dynamics within the ruling alliance.
The allocation of portfolios to the newly inducted ministers is expected to be announced following the swearing-in ceremony. The Cabinet expansion is seen as a strategic move to strengthen governance and ensure broader regional and political representation across the state.