Congress rejoins Tamil Nadu Cabinet after 59 years: 2 MLAs to be sworn in
Synopsis
For the first time since 1966, Congress is stepping back into ministerial power in Tamil Nadu — not as a ruling force, but as a coalition partner in C. Joseph Vijay's TVK government. The induction of two Congress MLAs after a 59-year gap is as much about alliance arithmetic as it is about history.
Key Takeaways
Congress returns to the Tamil Nadu Cabinet after 59 years , with two MLAs taking oath on 22 May 2025 .
Viswanathan are the two Congress legislators being inducted as ministers.
The induction was approved by Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge .
Congress holds five seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and is a key ally of the TVK -led government under Chief Minister C.
Alliance partners including Left parties , VCK , and IUML collectively helped TVK secure a comfortable majority in the Assembly.
The Indian National Congress (INC) is set to return to power in Tamil Nadu for the first time in nearly six decades, as two of its legislators — S. Rajesh Kumar and P. Viswanathan — are scheduled to take oath as Cabinet ministers on Thursday, 22 May 2025, under Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government. The induction, approved by Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, ends a ministerial absence spanning 59 years for the party in the state.
A Historic Return After Six Decades
Congress last held ministerial office in Tamil Nadu in 1966, making Thursday's swearing-in ceremony a rare political milestone. All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary K.C. Venugopal confirmed the development, calling it 'a historic occasion for us, as the Congress joins the Tamil Nadu cabinet after a long gap of 59 years.' He extended best wishes to both incoming ministers and expressed confidence that they would advance a welfare-oriented governance model in the state.
Congress's Role in the TVK Alliance
Congress currently holds five seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and emerged as a key supporting force for the TVK government following the state Assembly election. The party is part of a broader alliance that includes Left parties, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). Together, these alliance partners helped the Vijay-led administration comfortably secure a majority in the Assembly.
Political Significance of the Induction
Political observers view the Cabinet expansion as more than a routine reshuffle. The move is widely seen as a calculated step by the TVK leadership to strengthen alliance cohesion, offer proportional representation to supporting parties, and consolidate political stability ahead of what is expected to be a complex governance term. Notably, the induction also signals Congress's renewed relevance in southern state politics at a time when the party is working to rebuild its presence across India.
What Happens Next
With the swearing-in set for Thursday, attention will now turn to the portfolios assigned to Rajesh Kumar and Viswanathan, and whether Congress's re-entry into the Tamil Nadu Cabinet translates into measurable policy influence. Alliance management will remain a key test for Chief Minister Vijay as the TVK government navigates its early months in office.
Point of View
But the real story is structural: the TVK government is managing a multi-party coalition and needs Congress to stay invested. With only five Assembly seats, Congress punches above its electoral weight here — its national profile and Kharge's personal approval of the induction signal that the party sees Tamil Nadu as a template for coalition relevance elsewhere. The question is whether Cabinet berths translate into policy leverage or remain largely ceremonial, as has often been the fate of junior coalition partners in state governments.
NationPress
7 Aug 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, since 1966, making it a rare political milestone. The induction signals the party's renewed role as a coalition partner in southern state politics under Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's TVK government.
Who are the Congress MLAs being sworn in as ministers in Tamil Nadu?
The two Congress legislators being inducted are S. Rajesh Kumar and P. Viswanathan. Their induction was approved by Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge ahead of the swearing-in ceremony on 22 May 2025.
How many seats does Congress hold in the Tamil Nadu Assembly?
Congress currently holds five seats in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Despite its modest tally, the party is considered a key supporting force for the TVK-led government, which also draws alliance support from Left parties, VCK, and IUML.
What does this mean for the TVK government's stability?
Political observers see the Cabinet induction as a move to strengthen alliance management and ensure greater representation for supporting parties. It is expected to consolidate political stability within the TVK government's coalition structure.
When was the last time Congress was part of the Tamil Nadu Cabinet?
Congress last held ministerial office in Tamil Nadu in 1966 — nearly six decades ago. Thursday's swearing-in marks the end of that prolonged absence from state-level executive power.
