Governor RajendraVishwanathArlekar has approved the recommendation of Chief Minister Vijay to induct 23 MLAs into the Tamil Nadu Council of Ministers, marking the first major Cabinet expansion of the newly formed TamilagaVettriKazhagam (TVK) government. Raj Bhavan confirmed that the Governor had formally accepted the Chief Minister’s recommendation to appoint the legislators as ministers. The swearing-in ceremony for the ministers-designate took place on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 10 a.m. at LokBhavan in Chennai.
Major Cabinet Expansion In Vijay Govt
The Cabinet expansion is being viewed as a significant political move by the Vijay-led administration as it seeks to balance regional representation, caste equations, and governance priorities including maintaining alliance balance. The event was attended by VCK Chief TholThirumavalavan, who is an alliance partner of the newly formed TVK government.
In the cabinet expansion event, VandeMataram was first sung amid controversies.
The 23 legislators selected for ministerial berths represent constituencies spread across Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Coimbatore, Salem, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Thoothukudi, and Kanyakumari districts. The list includes 23 ministers–21 ministers from TVK and two ministers from the Congress.
Among those to be inducted are Vijay’s friend Srinath from Thoothukudi, Kamali S from Avinashi, C. Vijayalakshmi from Kumarapalayam, R.V. Ranjithkumar from Kancheepuram, and Vinoth from Kumbakonam.
MLAs From Across Tamil Nadu Included
The list also includes Rajeev from Thiruvadanai, B. Rajkumar from Cuddalore, V. Gandhiraj from Arakkonam, Mathan Raja P from Ottapidaram, and Jegadeshwari K from Rajapalayam.
Other ministers-designate are Rajesh Kumar S from Killiyoor, M. Vijay Balaji from Erode East, LogeshTamilselvan D from Rasipuram, Vijay TamilanParthiban A from Salem South, and Ramesh from Srirangam.
Ceremony Scheduled At LokBhavan
The expansion comes at a crucial time for the new government, which has already faced political scrutiny over recent administrative decisions and tender-related controversies. Political observers believe the induction of new ministers could help strengthen the administration’s governance structure and improve coordination across departments.
The portfolios for the newly inducted ministers are expected to be announced following the oath-taking ceremony.
