Published May 21, 2026 | 6:43 PM ⚊ Updated May 21, 2026 | 6:43 PM
With the latest expansion, the number of Dalit ministers in Vijay’s Cabinet has risen to seven.
Synopsis: The expansion of the Cabinet has significantly increased Dalit representation in the Tamil Nadu government, with seven ministers from the community inducted on Thursday. The number is expected to rise to eight with the induction of Vanniyarasu of the VCK.
The TVK-led government in Tamil Nadu has scripted history as it inducted seven Dalit ministers into the C Joseph Vijay Cabinet on Thursday, 21 May.
One more Dalit minister is likely to be added to the ministry, taking the total to eight. Vanniyarasu of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) is expected to be sworn in on Friday.
Tamil Nadu has long remained a Dravidian heartland and the alternating AIADMK and DMK governments so far had sworn by the ideals of Periyar and other social reformers.
Still, this was the first time that a government is having seven Dalit ministers, the most so far.
TVK falling 10 short of the required 118 for a simple majority in the 234-member Assembly also paved the way for the state’s first coalition government, as two MLAs from the Congress were sworn in as ministers on Thursday.
The number of Dalit ministers gain significance as only one from the community had won from a general seat in the 23 April elections to the Assembly. The remaining Dalit MLAs won reserved constituencies.
P Viswanathan of the Congress won Melur, an unreserved, general contituency.
The induction of seven Dalit ministers into the Cabinet is widely being viewed an important political and social step by the Vijay government.
Incidentally, two key portfolios, School Education and Higher Education has been allotted to Dalit ministers.
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Rajmohan, representing Egmore, was sworn in on 10 May along with Vijay. He now holds the School Education Department.
Six more Dalit MLAs were inducted into the Cabinet on 21 May.
With the induction of Congress MLA P Viswanathan (Melur constituency) and TVK members from SC-reserved constituencies such as Avinashi, Ottapidaram, Rasipuram, Sriperumbudur, and Arakkonam, the representation of Dalit leaders in the Cabinet has touched seven.
The newly inducted seven Dalit members are:
The earlier highest Dalit representation in the Cabinet was during the MK Stalin government, which had four Dalit ministers.
Those ministers included:
Speaking to South First, VCK MP D Ravikumar said the induction of seven Dalits in the Cabinet should be seen not merely as political recognition, but as social recognition.
“This is a welcome move. For a long time, many of us have been demanding greater representation. In the previous government, there were four Dalit ministers and they were given important portfolios. Similarly, this time too, seven ministers have been appointed. We welcome this development,” he said.
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IUML, VCK may join government on Friday
Meanwhile, Indian Union Muslim League MLA AM Shahjahan from Papanasam and VCK MLA Vanniyarasu are expected to join the Tamil Nadu Cabinet on Friday, 22 May.
According to sources, Shahjahan is likely to be allotted the Minorities Welfare portfolio, while Vanniyarasu may be given charge of the Adi Dravidar Welfare Department.
With the induction of Vanniyarasu into the Cabinet, the number of Dalit ministers in the Tamil Nadu government will rise to eight.
Incidentally, the number of women ministers, too, have increased to four. The previous DMK government had two ministers, Geetha Jeevan and Kayalvizhi Selvaraj.
While S Keerthana was sworn in along with Vijay earlier, three others — K Jagadeeshwari, Kamali S, and C Vijayalakshmi, were inducted on Thursday, 21 May.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
