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The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government is preparing for cabinet expansion with invitations extended to VCK and IUML. The VCK plans to consult its leadership before deciding on cabinet participation, while the CPI-M warns it may reconsider support if AIADMK joins the cabinet.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay from a public meeting in Chennai in April.(PTI)The Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government in Tamil Nadu is set for its first expansion, which is likely to be announced on Thursday. The TVK government, which assumed office on May 10, currently has 10 ministers, including the CM Vijay.
Vijay's TVK government in Tamil Nadu
Political debutants, TVK, which fell short of the 118-seat simple majority mark, is ruling the state with the outside support of several smaller parties, including the Congress. 25 AIADMK rebels also supported the government in addition to support from MLA Kamaraj expelled from the AMMK.
What CPI(M) said
However, the possible inclusion of AIADMK leader CV Shanmugam, who has reportedly sought a ministerial position in the Vijay cabinet, has some allies rethinking their support. The CPI-M has said that Left parties would reconsider their support to the TVK government if AIADMK becomes a part of the Tamil Nadu Cabinet.
TVK invites VCK, IUML
TVK leader and Tamil Nadu Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Adhav Arjuna on Wednesday invited Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), both parties supporting the TVK government from outside, to join the cabinet.
According to Minister Arjuna, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay wants the state cabinet to function "like one family" and ensure representation to parties that extended support to the ruling coalition.
"The Chief Minister wants the cabinet to function like one family. The Chief Minister wants the parties that extended support to be represented in the cabinet," Arjuna said.
On cabinet expansion, he added, "Our alliance remains intact. The Chief Minister will announce it soon."
What VCK said
VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan on Wednesday stated that his party would take a definitive decision on joining the Vijay cabinet after consulting senior functionaries and the general secretary.
"During the party's high-level committee meeting, most members expressed the view that the party should be part of the cabinet. However, in the end, we extended unconditional support. We respect the invitation from TVK. Now they are once again inviting us to join the cabinet. We will discuss it with the party functionaries and announce our decision. When Vijay visited the VCK office, he expressed his wish that we should be part of the cabinet," the VCK chief said.
"A situation did not arise for us to become part of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam alliance, so we continued our journey with the DMK alliance. There is no need to convene a high-level committee meeting again for discussions. We will consult with the general secretary and other senior functionaries before making a decision", he added.
Tamil Nadu CPI(M) Secretary P Shanmugam said the Left parties and VCK had jointly decided to extend outside support to the government.
"We, the Left parties and the VCK, had jointly decided to extend outside support. It is not necessary for the VCK to take exactly the same stand as the Left parties. If the VCK feels that an opportunity has arisen and wants to make use of it, there is nothing wrong with that," he said.
The IUML is yet to officially comment on TVK’s invitation to join the government.
Key Takeaways
- Coalition dynamics are crucial in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.
- Support from smaller parties can significantly influence cabinet decisions.
- The relationship between political parties can shift rapidly based on individual interests and negotiations.
About the Author
Bobins Vayalil Abraham
Bobins loves telling the human side of all stories, from the intersection of geopolitics, international relations, and conflicts around the world. In his nearly one-and-a-half-decade career as a journalist, Bobins has covered South Asia, the Middle East, and North America, from elections to mass protests and conflicts. <br> Bobins has also done extensive reporting on environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability, focusing on solutions and people working to make the planet a better place to live. <br> In 2018, Bobins was awarded by Times Internet for the impact of his story on Delhi tree cuttings. Bobins also loves telling the stories of Indian startups and the journey of their founders. <br> Total Years of Experience: 14 <br> Years of experience at LM: Bobins has been a part of Live Mint since February 2026 <br> Interests: When he is not tracking conflicts, Bobins loves to cook, travel across India, click photos, and watch documentaries on history. Past Experience: Before joining Live Mint, Bobins worked with The Indian Express, where he led the Global Breaking News coverage, Indiatimes, where he led the news team, covering everything trending, ANI, where the focus of his coverage was South Asia, and NBS News. <br> Current Role: Bobins is currently working as an Assistant Editor at Live Mint.
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