Published May 20, 2026 | 9:16 PM ⚊ Updated May 20, 2026 | 9:16 PM
S Rajesh Kumar (Left) and P Viswanathan (Right, with Rahul Gandhi) are likely to be inducted on Thursday.
Synopsis: The Indian National Congress is poised to re-enter the Tamil Nadu cabinet after nearly six decades, with two of its MLAs expected to join the expanded ministry led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge has cleared the names of two party MLAs to join the C Joseph Vijay-led government in Tamil Nadu.
AICC general secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal announced Kharge’s decision on Wednesday, 20 May, saying S Rajesh Kumar from Kiliyur and P Viswanathan from Melur will be sworn-in as ministers on Thursday, 21 May.
“This is a historic occasion for us, as the Congress joins the Tamil Nadu cabinet after a long gap of 59 years,” Venugopal said.
The Congress party has been out of power since 1967, when the DMK under CN Annadurai took ended the former’s rule in the state.
M Bhaktavatsalam-led Congress government had been ruling the state before Annadurai captured power.
Despite being an alliance partner for over two decades, the DMK had never shared power with the Congress.
Congress was the first among the DMK partners to support Vijay’s TVK, when it fell 10 short of the required majority of 118 in the 234-member Assembly in the 23 April elections. Later, the CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML, too, extended support, besides the break-away faction of the AIADMK.
Kumar and Viswanathan will take the oath of office and secrecy at the Lok Bhavan on Thursday.
Congress sources Kumar is likely to get the Tourism portfolio, while the Higher Education Department may be allotted to Viswanathan.
Currently, Rajmohan, representing Egmore, is handling the School Education Department. If Viswanathan get the Higher Education portfolio, both major education departs would be headed by Dalit leaders for the first time in Tamil Nadu.
Also Read: TN CM Vijay allots portfolios, keeps Home
Meanwhile, reports suggested that VCK MLA Vanniarasu, too, might be inducted into the Cabinet.
Earlier, a senior leader from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi said that the chances of the party joining the TVK-led ministry were “high”.
Apart from alliance partners, several MLAs from the TVK are also expected to be inducted into the expanded Cabinet.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
