TVK cabinet expansion tomorrow: Congress likely in, AIADMK out
Synopsis
Actor-turned-CM C. Joseph Vijay's TVK government is set for its first Cabinet expansion on Thursday — and the most revealing detail isn't who's in, but who's out. Despite floor support during the confidence vote, the AIADMK faction has been firmly shut out after pushback from Congress, Left parties, and VCK, signalling that coalition arithmetic, not optics, will define this government's early choices.
Key Takeaways
TVK 's first Cabinet expansion is scheduled for Thursday, 22 May 2025 , in Chennai .
Alliance partner Congress is likely to receive ministerial berths, with two legislators as leading contenders.
Induction of the AIADMK faction led by C.Ve.
Velumani has been ruled out after opposition from Congress , Left parties , and VCK .
More than 20 key departments — including Higher Education, Revenue, Transport, and Agriculture — currently have no formally appointed ministers.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is expected in Chennai on Wednesday evening to oversee the swearing-in formalities.
The C. Joseph Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government is set to undertake its first Cabinet expansion on Thursday, 22 May 2025, in Chennai, with the exercise shaping up as a delicate political balancing act involving alliance expectations, regional representation, and intra-party pressures. Sources within the ruling establishment said the final round of consultations on the ministerial list is nearing completion ahead of a likely swearing-in ceremony on Thursday morning.
Governor's Arrival and Swearing-In Formalities
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who is currently holding additional charge, is expected to arrive in Chennai on Wednesday evening to oversee the constitutional formalities related to the expansion. The ceremony is anticipated to take place at the Raj Bhavan, following standard protocol for Cabinet inductions in Tamil Nadu.
Congress Set for Cabinet Berths, AIADMK Ruled Out
According to sources close to the government, alliance partner Congress is likely to be accommodated in the expanded Cabinet, with two Congress legislators emerging as the leading contenders for ministerial positions. This comes amid broader pressure from coalition partners to ensure equitable representation in the government.
Notably, speculation about possible Cabinet berths for members of the AIADMK faction led by C.Ve. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani has been firmly set aside. Sources indicated that the ruling leadership stepped back from such a move following strong resistance from alliance partners, including Congress, Left parties, and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).
A senior minister, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there had never been any formal discussion about inducting AIADMK legislators into the Cabinet, and clarified that their support during the Assembly confidence vote was 'merely political support extended on the floor of the House' — not a basis for ministerial consideration.
Legal and Alliance Warnings Against Sensitive Moves
Sources close to the government also revealed that legal advisers and alliance partners had cautioned against taking politically sensitive decisions that could create instability at the outset of the government's tenure. The warning is understood to have directly influenced the decision to exclude the AIADMK faction from the Cabinet at this stage.
Meanwhile, intense lobbying has reportedly begun within the TVK itself, with several first-time MLAs and influential party functionaries pushing for representation in the expanded ministry.
Over 20 Departments Still Without Ministers
The expansion is also expected to address a significant administrative gap: more than 20 key government departments currently have no formally appointed ministers. These include Higher Education, Revenue, Transport, and Social Welfare. Several other portfolios — Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Tourism, Information Technology, Labour Welfare, Fisheries, and Environment — also remain without designated ministers.
Secretariat sources said some departments are currently functioning under informal supervision by existing ministers, with officials already reviewing files and holding departmental discussions pending formal portfolio allocations. The expansion is expected to bring administrative clarity and accelerate policy implementation across these critical sectors. All eyes now turn to Thursday morning's ceremony and the final list of inductees.
Point of View
Not the CM's office alone, hold effective veto power over Cabinet composition. That Congress and VCK could jointly block a move at this early stage suggests the alliance is more assertive than it appeared during the election. The real test is whether Vijay can use the expansion to fill over 20 vacant portfolios without triggering fresh grievances among first-time MLAs who feel passed over. A botched reshuffle at this stage could set a fractious precedent for a government still finding its administrative footing.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the TVK Cabinet expansion taking place?
The TVK Cabinet expansion is scheduled for Thursday, 22 May 2025, with a swearing-in ceremony expected in the morning in Chennai. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is set to arrive on Wednesday evening to oversee the formalities.
Will Congress get ministerial positions in the TVK Cabinet?
Yes, according to sources within the ruling establishment, alliance partner Congress is likely to be accommodated in the expanded Cabinet. Two Congress legislators have emerged as the leading contenders for ministerial berths.
Why has the AIADMK faction been excluded from the Cabinet?
The AIADMK faction led by C.Ve. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani has been excluded following strong opposition from alliance partners — Congress, Left parties, and VCK. A senior minister clarified that the AIADMK's support during the Assembly confidence vote was political support on the floor of the House, not a basis for ministerial consideration.
Which departments are currently without ministers in the TVK government?
More than 20 key departments currently lack formally appointed ministers, including Higher Education, Revenue, Transport, Social Welfare, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Tourism, Information Technology, Labour Welfare, Fisheries, and Environment. Some are being informally supervised by existing ministers.
What is the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)?
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is the political party led by actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay, which came to power in Tamil Nadu. The party is now undertaking its first Cabinet expansion since forming the government.
