Historic Cabinet Expansion in Tamil Nadu: Congress Returns After 60 Years
Congress back in Tamil Nadu Cabinet after nearly 60 years as Vijay inducts 2 MLAs: Who are they?
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's cabinet expanded with the induction of 23 new ministers, marking the first inclusion of Congress MLAs in nearly 60 years. The new ministers include S Rajesh Kumar from Kanyakumari and P Viswanathan from Madurai, increasing the cabinet's strength to 33 members.
- 01The cabinet expansion took place on a Thursday at Lok Bhavan, with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administering the oath.
- 02S Rajesh Kumar, a three-time legislator, previously served as the president of the Kanyakumari West District Congress Committee.
- 03P Viswanathan, a senior Congress leader, has held various positions within the party and was previously elected as an MP in 2009.
- 04The Congress party, with five MLAs, was one of the first to support CM Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) after the recent Assembly elections.
- 05The cabinet now consists of 21 MLAs from TVK and 2 from Congress, reflecting a significant political shift in Tamil Nadu.
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In a significant political development, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay expanded his cabinet on Thursday, inducting 23 new ministers, including two from the Congress party, marking their return to the cabinet after nearly 60 years. The swearing-in ceremony was held at Lok Bhavan, with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administering the oath of office. This expansion increases the cabinet's strength to 33 members, with a total council strength of 35. The two Congress MLAs inducted are S Rajesh Kumar, a three-time legislator from the Killiyoor constituency in Kanyakumari district, and P Viswanathan, elected from the Melur constituency in Madurai district. Rajesh Kumar, who previously led the Congress Legislature Party, won his seat with 66,434 votes, while Viswanathan secured 60,080 votes in the recent elections. The Congress party was among the first to support Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) after it struggled to secure a majority following the Assembly elections on May 4. This cabinet reshuffle reflects a notable shift in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.
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The inclusion of Congress MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet may influence future policies and governance in the state, reflecting a broader coalition in the government.
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