Published May 10, 2026 | 2:35 PM ⚊ Updated May 10, 2026 | 2:47 PM
Aadhav Arjuna initially worked in the DMK’s strategy ecosystem. Credit: x.com/AadhavArjuna
Synopsis: With a mix of veteran politicians, former bureaucrats, political strategists, professionals, and first-time legislators, Vijay’s first TVK cabinet reflects both experience and a new-generation political image. From AIADMK veteran KA Sengottaiyan to young faces like S Keerthana and digital personalities like Rajmohan, the cabinet signals TVK’s attempt to build a diverse and unconventional power structure in Tamil Nadu.
With Vijay assuming office as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the 9 ministers sworn into the first cabinet of TVK reflect a mix of experienced politicians, loyalists, professionals, political strategists, and first-time legislators.
From veteran leader KA Sengottaiyan to Vijay’s close associates like N Anand and younger faces such as S Keerthana, the cabinet showcases TVK’s attempt to blend traditional political experience with a newer generation of public figures.
Popularly known as “Bussy” Anand, N Anand is among Vijay’s closest political associates and currently serves as the general secretary of TVK. Originally from Puducherry politics, Anand began his political career with the Puducherry Munnetra Congress and was elected MLA from the Bussy constituency in 2006. He later joined the All India NR Congress before eventually becoming a key organisational pillar in Vijay’s party.
Inside TVK, Anand is widely seen as one of the people who helped convert Vijay’s fan network into a functioning political organisation.
One of the senior most leaders in the cabinet, Sengottaiyan spent more than five decades in the AIADMK before joining TVK in 2025. A long-time MLA from Gobichettipalayam, he first entered the Assembly in 1977 and later handled portfolios including Transport, Agriculture, Information Technology, and School Education.
In western Tamil Nadu, Sengottaiyan built a reputation as a powerful grassroots organiser and remained an influential figure during both the MGR and Jayalalithaa eras. After being expelled from the AIADMK by Edappadi K Palaniswami in 2025, he joined TVK along with his supporters. His arrival gave Vijay’s party immediate organisational strength in the Kongu belt.
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KG Arun Raj is among the technocratic faces in Vijay’s cabinet. A former IRS officer and doctor, Arun Raj served in the Income Tax Department for over 15 years with postings across Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Maharashtra.
Originally from Salem, he completed his MBBS at Madras Medical College before working as a doctor in rural areas such as Krishnagiri. He later cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination and joined the IRS in 2009.
Arun Raj handled several major investigations during his bureaucratic career, including the 2016 Shekar Reddy cash seizure case. Ironically, he later entered the political camp of Vijay, whose residence had once come under the Income Tax scanner during the shooting of Master in 2020. Though allegations circulated that Arun Raj himself led the searches, both he and TVK leaders denied those claims.
After taking voluntary retirement in 2025, Arun Raj joined TVK and quickly became one of the party’s policy-focused faces. He later served as the party’s Policy and Propaganda General Secretary and was involved in manifesto and governance discussions.
Aadhav Arjuna represents TVK’s younger political generation. He initially worked in the DMK’s strategy ecosystem before moving to VCK, where he rose to the post of deputy general secretary.
He later joined TVK and became one of the prominent organisers during the party’s expansion phase. Much of his work focused on campaign coordination, youth outreach, and constituency mobilisation.
Aadhav Arjuna is also known for his involvement in sports administration circles. Politically, however, he attracted equal attention because of his family links — he is the son-in-law of businessman Martin Santiago, popularly known as “Lottery Martin.”
Before joining TVK, CTR Nirmal Kumar was best known as one of the aggressive digital voices of the BJP in Tamil Nadu. He served as the state BJP’s IT and Social Media Wing president and frequently featured in online political campaigns and debates.
His political journey later became a subject of discussion because of his ideological proximity to RSS ecosystem. Old photographs linked to RSS activities resurfaced widely on social media after TVK came to power.
In 2023, Nirmal Kumar publicly criticised BJP state president K Annamalai and quit the party before briefly joining the AIADMK in the presence of Edappadi Palaniswami. His stay there was short-lived. He later moved to TVK and became one of Vijay’s important organisational strategists during the Assembly election campaign.
Also Read: From child star to CM: Vijay’s rise from cinema to ‘Thalapathy’ of Tamil Nadu politics
P Venkataramanan is widely regarded as one of the quieter but influential figures behind TVK’s organisational machinery. A long-time associate of Vijay, he has reportedly worked closely with the actor for more than two decades and handled several administrative responsibilities even before the launch of the party.
He holds degrees in Commerce, Law, and Business Administration from Annamalai University, Bangalore University, and Periyar University respectively. After TVK’s formation, Venkataramanan took charge as the party’s treasurer and played a major role in financial planning, cadre management, and event coordination.
He also drew political attention recently after stating in an interview that “anti-Brahminism” had become an outdated political framework, describing TVK instead as a “politics of change.”
Rajmohan Arumugam, popularly known as “Put Chutney Rajmohan,” is among the most unconventional names in the cabinet. Unlike traditional politicians, Rajmohan built his public identity through media, satire, and digital content.
He first gained recognition through the debate show Tamil Pechu Engal Moochu before becoming popular on the YouTube channel Put Chutney. His politically themed videos found strong resonance among younger audiences, especially the widely shared “Who Killed Anitha?” video made after the death of NEET aspirant Anitha.
Rajmohan has also worked as an anchor, actor, stand-up comedian, motivational speaker, and director. After joining TVK, he became one of the party’s prominent campaign speakers and later served as propaganda secretary.
TK Prabhu comes from a very different background compared to most cabinet ministers. A dentist by profession, he is well known in and around Karaikudi for his medical and social service activities.
Prabhu owns and manages dental hospitals in Karaikudi and other cities and built a reputation locally through healthcare outreach and community engagement initiatives. In Sivaganga district, he was already a familiar public figure long before entering electoral politics.
Though not a career politician, he comes from a family with longstanding ties to the Congress. His induction is seen as part of Vijay’s attempt to bring professionals and locally respected personalities into governance.
S Keerthana is among the youngest ministers in TVK’s first cabinet and created history by becoming the first woman MLA from the Sivakasi constituency.
Before entering active politics, Keerthana worked as a political consultant and campaign strategist. She was associated with firms such as IPAC and Showtime Consulting and worked on election campaigns connected to parties including the DMK, TMC, and TDP.
She holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics and an M.Sc. in Statistics from Pondicherry Central University. During the 2026 campaign, Keerthana quickly emerged as one of TVK’s recognisable young voices through television debates, youth outreach events, and Hindi media interactions.
One of her interviews drew wider political attention after she criticised the DMK for “constantly blaming the NDA” instead of addressing governance issues directly.
