Published May 21, 2026 | 10:53 AM ⚊ Updated May 21, 2026 | 1:04 PM
Vijay seen taking oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 10 May 2026. (File Image)
Synopsis: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay expanded his Cabinet on Thursday with 23 MLAs taking oath as ministers at Lok Bhavan, Chennai. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has approved the recommendation. The induction, spanning constituencies across the state, marks a major reshuffle to strengthen governance and consolidate political representation.
The Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister Vijay expanded its Cabinet on Thursday, with 23 MLAs taking oath as ministers at Lok Bhavan, Chennai, at 10 am.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar approved the CM Vijay’s recommendation, paving the way for one of the largest inductions in recent years.
The new ministers represent constituencies across the state, ensuring broad regional and party representation. Out of the 23 MLAs, 21 are from Vijay’s TVK and 2 are from Congress.
Killiyoor MLA Rajesh Kumar S and Melur MLA are the new Congress faces in Tamil Nadu government.
Among those joining the Council of Ministers are Srinath (Thoothukudi), Kamali S (Avinashi), C Vijayalakshmi (Kumarapalayam), RV Ranjithkumar (Kancheepuram), Vinoth (Kumbakonam), Rajeev (Thiruvadanai), B Rajkumar (Cuddalore), V Gandhiraj (Arakkonam), Mathan Raja P (Ottapidaram), and Jegadeshwari K (Rajapalayam).
The Hon’ble Governor has approved the recommendation by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to induct 23 MLAs into the Tamil Nadu Council of Ministers. The Swearing-in-Ceremony for the Ministers-designate takes place today.
📍 Lok Bhavan, Chennai
📅 21 May 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM pic.twitter.com/rHbuL96w4n— Bharathi Dasan (@MrBharathiDasan) May 21, 2026
Others include Rajesh Kumar S (Killiyoor), M Vijay Balaji (Erode East), Logesh Tamilselvan D (Rasipuram), Vijay Tamilan Parthiban A (Salem South), Ramesh (Srirangam), P Viswanathan (Melur), Kumar R (Velachery), Thennarasu K (Sriperumbudur), V Sampath Kumar (Coimbatore North), Mohamed Farvas J (Aranthangi), D Sarathkumar (Tambaram), N Marie Wilson (Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar), and Vignesh K (Kinathukadavu).
The swearing-in ceremony at Lok Bhavan marks a critical reshuffle, aimed at strengthening governance and balancing political representation.
With this tight-rope balancing, CM VIjay looks to consolidate his political allies to address pressing challenges in running a coalition government.
Lok Bhavan, Tamil Nadu Press Release No. 39 Dated. 21.05.2026
Also Read: Is VCK joining Chief Minister Vijay’s cabinet? Senior party leaders say it is highly likely
Among the key revisions, CM Vijay retains core departments including Public, General Administration, IAS, IPS, Police, and Home, while adding Special Initiatives and Poverty Alleviation.
N Anand continues as Minister for Rural Development, but poverty alleviation and rural indebtedness have been shifted to the Chief Minister’s charge.
R Nirmalkumar remains in charge of Energy and Law, with Legislative Assembly responsibilities removed.
Veteran leader KA Sengottaiyan moves from Finance to Revenue and Disaster Management.
The newly inducted ministers have been given portfolios spanning welfare, infrastructure, and emerging sectors.
Srinath (Thoothukudi) will head Fisheries, Kamali S (Avinashi) takes Animal Husbandry, and C Vijayalakshmi (Kumarapalayam) assumes Milk and Dairy Development.
RV Ranjithkumar (Kancheepuram) will oversee Forests, while Vinoth (Kumbakonam) takes charge of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Other notable allocations include Rajeev (Thiruvadanai) for Environment and Climate Change, Kumar R (Velachery) for AI, IT and Digital Services, and Thennarasu K (Sriperumbudur) for Non-Resident Tamils Welfare.
N Marie Wilson (Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar) has been appointed Minister for Finance, Planning and Development, while Vignesh K (Kinathukadavu) will handle Prohibition and Excise.
Lok Bhavan, Tamil Nadu Press Release No. 40 Dated. 21.05.2026 – Tamil Nadu Ministers Portfolio List
