Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay expands cabinet, Congress returns after 59 years

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced a major cabinet expansion on 21 May 2026, adding 23 new ministers. The sworn‑in ministers include 21 members of Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and two legislators from the Indian National Congress – S. Rajesh Kumar (Killiyoor) and P. Viswanathan (Melur). Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath at Lok Bhavan, raising the total strength of the Council of Ministers to 32, with three portfolios still vacant.

The inclusion of the two Congress MLAs marks the party's return to Tamil Nadu government after a 59‑year absence; the last Congress chief minister left office in 1967. Congress, which holds five seats in the 234‑member Assembly, had extended support to the TVK‑led coalition that formed the state government following a fractured election verdict. The expansion also follows earlier swearing‑in of nine ministers on 10 May and a floor‑test that secured a majority of 144 members with backing from AIADMK dissidents and left parties.

While the current expansion only brought in TVK and Congress members, sources indicate that the VCK and IUML – each with two supporting MLAs – may be inducted in a subsequent round. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has warned it could reconsider its support if AIADMK rebels are given cabinet posts, underscoring ongoing coalition management challenges.