Published May 21, 2026 | 3:48 PM ⚊ Updated May 21, 2026 | 3:48 PM
With the latest expansion, the number of Dalit ministers in Vijay’s Cabinet has risen to seven.
Synopsis: With the addition of 23 new members, Chief Minister Vijay’s Cabinet brings together first-time MLAs, doctors, lawyers, film personalities, grassroots organisers and experienced Congress leaders. The expansion has also drawn attention for the inclusion of seven ministers from the Dalit community.
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government, led by Chief Minister Vijay, expanded its Cabinet in Tamil Nadu on Thursday, 21 May, with the induction of 23 new ministers, including two from the Congress party. This is in addition to the nine ministers who took oath alongside Vijay earlier this month, taking the total strength of the Cabinet to 33.
Among the new faces are experienced Congress leaders, first-time legislators, professionals, film personalities and grassroots organisers from across the state. Several are also among TVK’s youngest MLAs and close associates of Vijay from the party’s early days.
The expansion has also drawn attention for the inclusion of seven ministers from the Dalit community, among the highest levels of representation in a Tamil Nadu Cabinet.
School Education Minister Rajmohan was already part of the ministry. With the latest expansion, the number of Dalit ministers in Vijay’s Cabinet has risen to seven.
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Srinath is among the most prominent first-generation leaders to emerge from TVK and is considered part of Chief Minister Vijay’s close inner circle. A friend of Vijay for nearly three decades, Srinath’s political rise reflects the actor-turned-politician’s reliance on trusted associates during TVK’s formative years.
He was assigned the Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare portfolio.
Before entering electoral politics, Srinath worked in the Tamil film industry as an actor and director. He appeared in several Tamil films, including Ullam Ketkumae, Unnale Unnale, Santosh Subramaniam and Vettaikkaaran. He also directed films such as Muthirai and Vallavanukku Pullum Aayudham.
According to his election affidavit, Srinath is 52 years old and has an educational qualification of “12th Pass”.
Srinath’s association with Vijay dates back to the actor’s early years in cinema. He had reportedly been part of Vijay’s personal and professional circle since the 1990s and later helped strengthen TVK at the district level before the party entered electoral politics.
In the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, Srinath contested from the Thoothukudi constituency and defeated senior DMK leader and former minister P Geetha Jeevan by 37,731 votes.
The victory was politically significant because Srinath became the first TVK candidate to officially register a win during counting trends, marking the party’s breakthrough in southern Tamil Nadu.
Kamali is among the youngest members of the Tamil Nadu Assembly and one of TVK’s emerging women faces from western Tamil Nadu.
According to her election affidavit, Kamali holds a postgraduate degree in English Literature and a BEd degree. She listed agriculture as her profession and declared no criminal cases against her.
At 28, she gained statewide attention after defeating Union Minister of State L Murugan in the Avinashi (SC) constituency, a seat long considered favourable to the AIADMK-BJP alliance.
She was assigned the Animal Husbandry portfolio.
Kamali contested the Assembly election as a first-time TVK candidate and secured 84,209 votes, defeating BJP candidate L Murugan by a margin of more than 15,000 votes.
Vijayalakshmi emerged as one of TVK’s key women faces in western Tamil Nadu after defeating senior AIADMK leader and former minister P Thangamani in the Assembly election from Kumarapalayam.
Her election affidavit lists her age as 50. It also states her educational qualification as “12th Pass”. However, her official social media profiles and campaign materials described her as a BCom graduate.
She was appointed Minister for Milk and Dairy Development.
Contesting her first election as a TVK candidate, Vijayalakshmi secured 81,179 votes and defeated Thangamani by a margin of 7,696 votes.
Ranjithkumar defeated AIADMK candidate V Somasundaram by a margin of 15,488 votes in a high-profile three-cornered contest that pushed the DMK to third place in the Kancheepuram constituency.
According to his election affidavit, Ranjithkumar is 50 years old and holds a BA degree from Tamil Nadu Open University. He listed his profession as business and declared assets worth several crores.
He was assigned the Forests portfolio.
Before joining TVK, Ranjithkumar contested the Assembly election from Uthiramerur on an AMMK ticket but lost.
Vinoth represents TVK’s breakthrough in the Cauvery delta region. Contesting from Kumbakonam, Vinoth secured a narrow but politically significant victory in one of the closest contests in the state. He defeated DMK candidate G Anbalagan by 679 votes.
According to his election affidavit, Vinoth is 32 years old and studied up to Class 12. The affidavit states that he discontinued a BE course at Government Engineering College, Kumbakonam, in 2016. He listed his profession as “Business”.
His affidavit also declared eight pending criminal cases, most linked to unlawful assembly, road roko protests and charges related to political demonstrations registered in 2025 and 2026. No convictions were listed against him.
As an MLA from the delta region, he was assigned the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare portfolio.
During the election campaign, Vinoth gained statewide attention after using hologram technology to virtually project Chief Minister Vijay at campaign events in Kumbakonam. The tactic went viral on social media and became one of the most talked-about tech-driven campaign strategies used by TVK during the election.
Dr Rajeev is one of TVK’s prominent faces from southern Tamil Nadu and represents the Thiruvadanai constituency in the Assembly.
A medical practitioner by profession, Rajeev completed his MBBS from Rajah Muthiah Medical College under Annamalai University in 2016.
According to his election affidavit, Rajeev is 33 years old and has no pending criminal cases or convictions against him.
He was appointed Minister for Environment and Climate Change.
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Rajkumar is a businessman-turned-politician who represents the Cuddalore constituency. He was assigned the Housing and Urban Development portfolio.
According to his election affidavit, Rajkumar is 46 years old and holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (DME) from Muthiah Polytechnic College, Chidambaram, completed in 2002.
The affidavit lists his profession as “Real Estate/Business”, while his spouse’s profession is listed as “Business”.
Rajkumar declared two pending criminal cases in his affidavit. The cases are linked to protest-related charges, including unlawful assembly and other IPC/BNS sections. No convictions were declared.
Gandhiraj represents the Arakkonam constituency in the Assembly. He was assigned the Co-operation portfolio.
According to his election affidavit, Gandhiraj is 52 years old and discontinued a BA course at the University of Madras through distance education. He completed an ITI diploma in 1996.
The affidavit lists his profession as a civil contractor.
Gandhiraj declared two pending criminal cases in his affidavit. One case, registered in 2024, is linked to a dispute that arose when he, as a councillor, sought the removal of an alleged land encroachment. Another case was registered in 2026 for travelling in a car with a party flag during the election period. No convictions were declared.
Mathan Raja is one of TVK’s prominent young faces from southern Tamil Nadu and represents the Ottapidaram constituency in the Assembly. He was assigned the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises portfolio.
In the Assembly election, Mathan Raja won from Ottapidaram, a constituency with a long history of Dravidian party influence.
According to his election affidavit, Mathan Raja holds a BE degree from Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering under Anna University, completed in 2005.
The affidavit lists his profession as “Business (Aprexo Global Enterprises)”, while his spouse’s profession is listed as “Professor”.
Mathan Raja declared no pending criminal cases or convictions in his affidavit.
Jegadeshwari is one of TVK’s prominent women faces from southern Tamil Nadu and represents the Rajapalayam constituency in the Assembly. She was appointed Minister for Social Welfare and Women Empowerment.
In the Assembly election, Jegadeshwari won from Rajapalayam, a politically significant constituency in Virudhunagar district that has traditionally seen strong contests between the DMK and AIADMK.
According to her election affidavit, Jegadeshwari is 40 years old and holds a BSc degree from Sree Ramalinga Academy of Higher Education (Autonomous), completed in 2018.
While her affidavit mentions only a BSc qualification, several campaign materials and publicity posters during the election referred to her as “Dr K Jegadeshwari”, drawing attention during the campaign period.
Rajesh Kumar is a senior Congress leader from Kanniyakumari district and represents the Killiyoor constituency in the Assembly. His inclusion in Chief Minister Vijay’s Cabinet is politically significant because it marks the Congress party’s return to the Tamil Nadu Cabinet after 59 years through the TVK-led coalition government.
He was assigned the Tourism portfolio.
Rajesh Kumar is an experienced legislator and lawyer who has been active in Congress politics in Kanniyakumari district for several years. He previously served as MLA from Killiyoor and is regarded as one of the Congress party’s prominent faces in the southern coastal belt.
According to his election affidavit, Rajesh Kumar is 51 years old and holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree from VV Puram College of Law, Bangalore University, completed in 2005. He also holds a Master of Arts degree from Vinayaka Mission University, completed in 2007.
Rajesh Kumar declared multiple pending criminal cases in his affidavit. Most are linked to political protests, demonstrations, road blockades and agitation-related activities in Kanniyakumari district.
Vijay Balaji represents the Erode East constituency in the Assembly. He was assigned the Handlooms, Textiles and Khadi portfolio.
According to his election affidavit, Vijay Balaji is 37 years old and holds a BCom (Computer Science) degree completed between 2005 and 2008 at Dr GR Damodaran College of Science in Coimbatore.
Vijay Balaji declared one pending criminal case in his affidavit. The case was registered for allegedly violating the election model code of conduct during the Assembly election period in Erode district. No convictions were declared.
Logesh Tamilselvan represents the Rasipuram constituency in the Assembly. He was assigned the Handlooms, Textiles and Khadi portfolio.
In the Assembly election, Logesh Tamilselvan won from Rasipuram by a margin of 679 votes in a constituency traditionally influenced by the DMK and AIADMK.
According to his election affidavit, Logesh Tamilselvan is 42 years old and holds a BCom degree from Loyola College, Chennai. He also completed an MBA in Marketing Management and Personnel Management from the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM), Delhi, in 2007.
The affidavit lists his profession as “Business”, while his spouse’s profession is listed as “Architect and Business”.
Vijay Tamilan Parthiban is one of TVK’s well-known faces from Salem district and represents the Salem South constituency in the Assembly. Before entering full-time politics, he worked in the Tamil film industry and appeared in supporting roles in several Vijay-starrer films, which later increased his visibility among Vijay fans and TVK cadre networks.
He was assigned the Transport portfolio.
According to his election affidavit, Vijay Tamilan Parthiban is 50 years old and studied up to Higher Secondary level at Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Salem.
Parthiban declared one pending criminal case in his affidavit. The case was registered for allegedly distributing gifts in violation of the election model code of conduct during the Assembly election period. No convictions were declared.
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Ramesh represents the Srirangam constituency in the Assembly. His victory in Srirangam — a constituency long associated with former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and considered symbolically important in Tamil Nadu politics — was seen as a major breakthrough for TVK.
He was assigned the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments portfolio. At 31, he is among the youngest ministers to handle the department in Tamil Nadu’s political history and now oversees one of the state’s most significant ministries.
According to his election affidavit, Ramesh is 32 years old and holds a BE degree from ARM College of Engineering and Technology, Maraimalai Nagar, completed in 2017.
Viswanathan is a senior Congress leader from Madurai district and represents the Melur constituency in the Assembly. He was assigned the Higher Education portfolio.
Viswanathan is regarded as an experienced grassroots politician in the Melur region and has long been active in Congress organisational politics and constituency-level mobilisation in southern Tamil Nadu.
According to his election affidavit, Viswanathan is 61 years old and holds a BA degree from Madras University, completed in 1989. He also studied at St David Higher Secondary School, Cuddalore.
Viswanathan declared one pending criminal case in his affidavit. The case, registered in Kerala in 2023, is linked to protest activities and includes sections related to unlawful assembly and public agitation. No convictions were declared.
Kumar represents the Velachery constituency in the Assembly. He was assigned the Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology and Digital Services portfolio.
According to his election affidavit, Kumar is 60 years old and holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Madras, completed in 1989. He also completed a Business Leadership Programme at IIM Bangalore in 2024.
The affidavit lists his profession as “Business / Land Lord”, while his spouse’s profession is also listed in the same way.
Thennarasu represents the Sriperumbudur constituency in the Assembly. He was assigned the Non-Resident Tamils Welfare portfolio.
According to his election affidavit, Thennarasu is 36 years old and studied up to Class 10 at a government school in Sriperumbudur. The affidavit states that he discontinued further studies in 2005.
The affidavit lists his profession as “Business”, while his spouse’s profession is listed as “Housewife”.
Thennarasu declared three pending criminal cases in his affidavit. One case is linked to a protest and public gathering registered in 2025 under sections related to unlawful assembly and disturbance-related charges. Another case appears linked to election-period political mobilisation activities. No convictions were declared.
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Sampath Kumar is one of TVK’s key faces from the Kongu region and represents the Coimbatore North constituency in the Assembly. He was assigned the Backward Classes Welfare portfolio.
According to his election affidavit, Sampath Kumar is 52 years old and completed Higher Secondary education in 1995-96. The affidavit also states that he pursued an MBA through distance education between 2001 and 2006.
The affidavit lists his profession as “Self-employed entrepreneur”, while his spouse’s profession is listed as “Housewife”.
Mohamed Farvas represents the Aranthangi constituency in the Assembly. He was assigned the Labour Welfare and Skill Development portfolio.
According to his election affidavit, Mohamed Farvas is 31 years old and holds a BA, LLB (Hons.) degree from the National Law School, completed between 2014 and 2019.
While the affidavit mentions only his law degree qualification, several campaign materials and publicity posters during the election referred to him as “Dr Mohamed Farvas”, drawing attention during the campaign period.
Sarathkumar is popularly known among cadre and Vijay fans as “Ghilli Sarath”, a nickname that became closely associated with him through Vijay fan club activities and local political mobilisation.
He was appointed Minister for Human Resources Management.
According to his election affidavit, Sarathkumar is 44 years old and completed a BBA degree from MM Jain College, Meenambakkam, in 2012.
Marie Wilson represents the Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar constituency in the Assembly. He was assigned the Finance, Planning and Development portfolio.
According to his election affidavit, Marie Wilson is 46 years old and holds multiple technical and management qualifications. He completed a Diploma in Computer Technology in 1999, a BTech in Information Technology in 2004, an MBA from Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology in 2006, and a PhD in Management Science from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, in 2012.
Marie Wilson declared two pending criminal cases in his affidavit. One case, registered at Lawspet Police Station in Puducherry in 2022, includes IPC sections related to trespass, intimidation and causing hurt. Another case, registered in Sriperumbudur in 2012, includes charges related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder under IPC provisions. No convictions were declared.
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Vignesh represents the Kinathukadavu constituency in the Assembly. He was appointed Minister for Prohibition and Excise.
According to his election affidavit, Vignesh is 38 years old and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from SMS College of Arts & Science, completed between 2006 and 2009.
The affidavit lists his profession as “Business”, while his spouse’s profession is listed as “Housewife”.
Vignesh declared two pending criminal cases in his affidavit. Both cases were registered in 2025 in Coimbatore district under BNS sections related to unlawful assembly and protest-linked political activities. No convictions were declared.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
