IUML legislator AM Shahjahan and VCK MLA Vanni Arasu were sworn in as ministers by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Friday during a simple ceremony held at Lok Bhavan. Their induction into the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government headed by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay marks a significant political development in Tamil Nadu, further strengthening the coalition nature of the present ruling dispensation.
With the inclusion of representatives from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the number of alliance partners represented in the government has now risen to four. Political observers view the move as a major shift in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, where coalition participation in governance is becoming increasingly prominent.
Both Shahjahan and Vanni Arasu took the oath of office and secrecy in the presence of Chief Minister Vijay and senior leaders of the ruling alliance. The ceremony, though brief and simple in nature, drew considerable political attention due to the entry of leaders from parties that had remained allies of the DMK until the 2026 Assembly elections.
The induction also triggered sharp political reactions from the DMK. Party deputy general secretary A Raja took a sarcastic swipe at the two parties for joining the TVK-led Cabinet. In a post on social media platform X, Raja compared the move to “a coconut tree bending towards a neighbour,” indirectly accusing the parties of benefiting a rival political force.
“What name should be given to those attempting to benefit others similar to a coconut tree that bends and offers coconuts to the neighbour,” Raja remarked in his post, in an apparent criticism of the IUML and VCK leadership.
AM Shahjahan, who was elected from the Papanasam Assembly constituency, has been assigned the Minorities Welfare portfolio in the Cabinet. Meanwhile, VCK leader Vanni Arasu, who won from the Tindivanam constituency, was appointed Minister for Social Justice.
With the induction of the two MLAs, the strength of the Vijay-led Cabinet has risen to 35, including the Chief Minister. This is the maximum number of ministers permitted under constitutional provisions for the state.
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Ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan defended his party’s decision to join the government, stating that a majority of party members supported participation in the Cabinet. He noted that the VCK had long advocated coalition governance in Tamil Nadu and viewed the development as a continuation of that political vision.
“In 1999, when we were involved in electoral politics along with Moopanar, we had proposed participation in governance and representation in the Cabinet. This is the first time the coalition governance model is being introduced,” Thirumavalavan said.
He further added that the decision was taken after considering the invitation extended by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leadership as well as the party’s broader long-term political strategy. “Taking into account the invitation extended by the TVK and the party’s long-term vision, the majority of office-bearers felt that this decision should be made,” he said.
The latest Cabinet expansion is being seen as an important step in consolidating the ruling alliance ahead of future political challenges in the state, while also reshaping alliance equations in Tamil Nadu politics.
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