The Congress party is set to return to the Tamil Nadu government after over 55 years with the formation of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. TVK has decided to allocate two ministerial berths to Congress as part of the post-election power-sharing agreement following a hung verdict in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The new government, headed by Vijay as the 13th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, was sworn in at a grand ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.
Nine ministers, along with Vijay, took the oath of office and secrecy administered by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. TVK, contesting its first Assembly election under Vijay’s leadership, emerged as the largest party by winning 108 seats in the 234-member Assembly but fell short of the majority mark. To form the government, Vijay sought support from Congress and other parties. The Congress, part of the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, won five out of the 28 seats it contested.
The TVK government, with support from CPI, CPI(M), IUML, and VCK, secured a majority to form the government. Congress’ entry into the Cabinet is a significant moment in Tamil Nadu politics, marking its return to ministerial positions after years of alliance with the DMK. Discussions are ongoing regarding Congress nominees for ministerial posts, with MLAs P. Viswanathan and S. Rajeshkumar being considered as frontrunners. Viswanathan won from a general constituency as an SC candidate, while Rajeshkumar serves as the Congress Legislature Party leader.
