Tamil Nadu cabinet expansion: CM Vijay inducts VCK, IUML MLAs as ministers | India News
New Delhi: Vanni Arasu and AM Shahjahan were sworn in as ministers in the Tamil Nadu cabinet on Friday after Chief Minister Vijay inducted two more members into his council of ministers as part of the ongoing cabinet expansion.Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath administered the oath to Arlekar’s two MLAs at a function held at the Lok Bhavan in Chennai.The inclusion of VCK and IUML MLAs came after Vijay’s recommendation and approval by the Governor. The move is seen as part of the ruling Tamilga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government’s efforts to strengthen the alliance’s representation in the cabinet.Vanni Arasu representing Tindivanam assembly constituency was inducted from Thol. Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Kachi (VCK) is led by Thirumabhavan, while Shahjahan represents Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) from Papanasam constituency.The latest expansion comes a day after CM Vijay carried out a major cabinet reshuffle and expansion, inducting several TVK MLAs into core ministries.On Thursday, TVK MLA B Rajkumar was allotted the housing and urban development portfolio, Vijay Tamilan Parthiban A the transport ministry, RV Ranjithkumar the forest minister’s charge, V Sampath Kumar the backward class welfare portfolio and V Gandhiraj the cooperation minister.With the latest induction, the Tamil Nadu cabinet now has 33 ministers. However, two portfolios: Adi Dravidian and Tribal Welfare and Minority Welfare are still vacant and are expected to be allotted later.The Vijay-led government also drew attention to creating a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) department at the Cabinet level, making Tamil Nadu the second state after Kerala to establish such a ministry.Vijay holds key portfolios including Home, Police, Municipal Administration and Water Supply. He also continued to oversee special initiatives, poverty alleviation and rural credit.The Women’s Welfare portfolio, earlier under the Chief Minister’s Office, has now been re-charged to K Jegadeswari, who has been named the Minister of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment.Among other major allocations, TVK MLA from Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar N Mary Wilson has been appointed as finance minister, replacing senior leader KA Sengottaiyan, who is now given the revenue portfolio.The cabinet also includes Congress MLAs S Rajesh Kumar and P Viswanathan, the first coalition government formed in Tamil Nadu since independence.The new ministry also saw a significant increase in the representation of Dalits and women. The cabinet currently has seven Dalit ministers and four women ministers, including Industries Minister S Keerthana, Animal Husbandry Minister S Kamali, Milk and Dairy Development Minister C Vijayalakshmi and Social Welfare Minister K Jagadeeswari.
