Congress joins Tamil Nadu cabinet after 59 years, two MLAs to be sworn in Thursday
Synopsis
For the first time since 1966, Congress will hold ministerial posts in Tamil Nadu — a 59-year gap that underscores how completely Dravidian parties reshaped state politics. With two MLAs set to be sworn in Thursday under CM C. Joseph Vijay's TVK government, the move is as much about alliance consolidation as it is a symbolic comeback for the grand old party in the south.
Key Takeaways
The Indian National Congress returns to the Tamil Nadu Cabinet after a gap of 59 years , with two MLAs set to be sworn in on Thursday, 22 May 2025 .
Viswanathan are the two Congress legislators being inducted as ministers.
INC president Mallikarjun Kharge formally approved the induction; AICC General Secretary K.C.
Venugopal confirmed it via social media.
Congress holds five seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and is part of the coalition supporting the TVK government led by CM C.
The ruling alliance also includes Left parties , VCK , and IUML , which together helped the government cross the majority mark.
The Indian National Congress (INC) is set to enter the Tamil Nadu Cabinet for the first time in nearly six decades, with two of its legislators scheduled to take oath as ministers in the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Thursday, 22 May 2025. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has formally approved the induction, ending a 59-year absence from ministerial responsibility in the state.
Who Is Being Inducted
The two Congress legislators joining the Cabinet are Adv. S. Rajesh Kumar and P. Viswanathan. Both are members of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and were among the five Congress MLAs elected in the most recent state election. Their induction marks the party's return to executive power in Tamil Nadu — a milestone that last occurred in 1966.
What the Party Said
All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary K.C. Venugopal confirmed the development through a post on social media, stating: 'Hon'ble INC President Sh. Mallikarjun Kharge ji has approved the induction of INC MLAs Adv. Rajesh Kumar and Thiru P. Vishwanathan into the Tamil Nadu cabinet, and they will be taking oath as Ministers tomorrow.' Venugopal described it as 'a historic occasion for us, as the Congress joins the Tamil Nadu cabinet after a long gap of 59 years,' and expressed confidence that the two leaders would work towards fulfilling the aspirations of Tamil Nadu's people within a welfare-oriented governance model.
Alliance Context and Political Significance
Congress currently holds five seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and has been a key supporting force for the TVK government since the state election. The ruling coalition, which also includes the Left parties, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), helped the Vijay-led administration comfortably cross the majority mark in the Assembly. Political observers note that the Cabinet expansion goes beyond routine coalition management — it is widely seen as a deliberate move by the TVK leadership to deepen alliance cohesion and ensure broader political representation within the government.
Historical Backdrop
The last time Congress held ministerial positions in Tamil Nadu was in 1966, before the Dravidian parties — the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) — came to dominate state politics for the next six decades. Congress's re-entry into the Cabinet, albeit as an alliance partner rather than the lead party, signals a recalibration of its role in southern politics. Notably, the party has in recent years sought to rebuild its presence in Tamil Nadu through coalition arrangements rather than independent electoral contests.
What Happens Next
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, and is expected to be followed by portfolio allocations for the two new ministers. The expansion will be closely watched as a signal of how the TVK government intends to manage its alliance arithmetic ahead of future electoral cycles in the state.
Point of View
But the substance is coalition arithmetic. The TVK government, still consolidating its footing, needs its alliance partners to feel invested — and ministerial berths are the clearest currency for that. What is worth watching is whether Congress's two ministers are given portfolios with real administrative weight or largely ceremonial roles. The party's broader southern strategy hinges on demonstrating governance relevance, not just alliance loyalty. A purely ornamental induction would do little to reverse Congress's structural decline in a state where it has not led a government since the Dravidian era began.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Congress joining the Tamil Nadu Cabinet significant?
Congress is entering the Tamil Nadu Cabinet for the first time in 59 years, having last held ministerial positions in the state in 1966. The induction marks a symbolic and political milestone for the party, which has been largely absent from executive power in Tamil Nadu through the decades of Dravidian party dominance.
Who are the two Congress MLAs being sworn in as ministers?
The two Congress legislators being inducted are Adv. S. Rajesh Kumar and P. Viswanathan, both members of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Their induction was approved by INC president Mallikarjun Kharge and confirmed by AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal.
Who leads the Tamil Nadu government that Congress is joining?
The Tamil Nadu government is led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The ruling coalition includes Congress, Left parties, VCK, and IUML as supporting partners.
How many MLAs does Congress have in the Tamil Nadu Assembly?
Congress currently holds five seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The party emerged as a key supporting force for the TVK government following the state election, contributing to the ruling coalition's majority.
When is the swearing-in ceremony scheduled?
The swearing-in ceremony for the two Congress ministers is scheduled for Thursday, 22 May 2025. Portfolio allocations are expected to follow the oath-taking.
