Joseph Vijay is set to take oath as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu along with a compact nine-member cabinet, marking the beginning of the first-ever government led by his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
The first cabinet reflects Vijay’s attempt to balance political experience, youth representation, technocrats and caste equations, while also rewarding members of his core team who stood by him during the party’s rapid rise.
Among the prominent faces set to take oath in Chennai is veteran AIADMK leader K A Sengottaiyan, who has worked closely with former Chief Ministers M. G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa over the decades.
Sengottaiyan was expelled from the AIADMK after he openly questioned the leadership of Edappadi K. Palaniswami and criticised the party for failing to bring expelled leaders back into the fold. His inclusion is being seen as Vijay’s attempt to bring administrative experience and political weight to his new government.
Another key induction is Aadhav Arjuna, considered one of Vijay’s trusted strategists and a member of the party’s inner circle. Arjuna won from Chennai’s Villivakkam constituency and played a major role in TVK’s organisational planning. He is also the son-in-law of lottery businessman Santiago Martin.
Nirmal Kumar, who won from Thiruparankundram in Madurai, is also set to join the cabinet. A former BJP functionary, Nirmal Kumar switched camps and emerged as an important face for TVK in southern Tamil Nadu.
TVK General Secretary Anand, known for his strong grassroots network, will also take oath. Anand won from Chennai’s T. Nagar constituency and has been instrumental in expanding the party structure at the booth level.
Among the other ministers to be sworn in are Raj Mohan, a television and film personality known for his oratory skills, and Dr T. K. Prabhu, a dentist-turned-politician who won from Karaikudi.
Arun Raj, a doctor who quit his IRS career to join TVK, is entering the cabinet after winning from Tiruchengode, his home turf. Chennai’s Mylapore MLA P. Venkataramanan is being projected as an important Brahmin face in the government.
The youngest face in the cabinet will be Keerthana, who won from Virudhunagar district and is now set to become one of the youngest ministers in Tamil Nadu politics.
The oath ceremony is expected to mark a major political transition in Tamil Nadu, with Vijay moving from cinema superstardom to heading the state government after TVK’s dramatic electoral breakthrough.
Congress leaders, who have extended support to the TVK government formation exercise, may take oath at a later stage after portfolio discussions are completed.
Vijay’s new government will have to prove its majority in the Assembly before May 13. The government is backed by a patchwork of parties, including the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK and IUML.
