Vijay appoints 9-member cabinet for Tamil Nadu, includes former AIADMK leader among ministers.

Tamil Nadu Elections: TVK Unveils Candidate Lineup; Leader Vijay to Run in Perambur and Trichy East Districts
C. Joseph Vijay was officially sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday, along with a nine-member cabinet, marking the establishment of the first government led by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.

An announcement from Raj Bhavan confirmed that Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar approved Vijay’s recommendation for the nine ministerial appointments. This recommendation was made on May 9, preceding the swearing-in ceremony at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium.

The ministers who took their oaths include N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, Dr KG Arunraj, KA Sengottaiyan, P Venkataramanan, R Nirmalkumar, Rajmohan, Dr TK Prabhu, and S Keerthana.

This cabinet is perceived as Vijay’s effort to blend political experience with younger leaders, professionals, and regional representation within the new government.

From AIADMK Veteran To Vijay Loyalists

Noteworthy within the cabinet is KA Sengottaiyan, a former AIADMK minister who collaborated closely with past chief ministers MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa for many years.

Sengottaiyan faced expulsion from AIADMK after openly criticizing Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s leadership and questioning the party’s stance on expelled members. His appointment is anticipated to infuse valuable administrative expertise into the new government.

Aadhav Arjuna, seen as a member of Vijay’s close-knit circle, is another significant addition. He secured victory in the Villivakkam constituency and was instrumental in the TVK’s campaign operations and organizational strategy. He is also the son-in-law of businessman Santiago Martin.

N Anand, also referred to as Bussy Anand, serves as the general secretary of TVK and has been included in the cabinet. Anand emerged victorious from Chennai’s T Nagar constituency and has played a key role in fortifying the party’s grassroots structure.

Ex-BJP Face, IRS Officer-Turned-Politician In Cabinet

R Nirmalkumar, who won from the Thiruparankundram constituency in Madurai district, is also among the cabinet members. A former functionary of the BJP, Nirmalkumar switched to TVK and became a prominent representative for the party in southern Tamil Nadu.

Dr KG Arunraj, who left the Indian Revenue Service to join TVK, was appointed after winning in Tiruchengode.

The cabinet also includes Rajmohan, known for his work in television and film, and Dr TK Prabhu, a dentist-turned-politician victorious in Karaikudi.

P Venkataramanan, an MLA from Chennai’s Mylapore constituency, is positioned as a significant Brahmin representative in the government.

Youngest Minister And Majority Test Ahead

S Keerthana, representing Virudhunagar district, is anticipated to become one of the youngest ministers in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.

The swearing-in event signifies a substantial political shift in the state, with Vijay transitioning from cinema to government leadership following TVK’s electoral success.

Although TVK emerged as the largest party in the 234-member Assembly, it did not secure a majority on its own. The party subsequently garnered support from Congress, CPI, CPI(M), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and the Indian Union Muslim League to establish the government.

The newly formed coalition government is required to demonstrate its majority on the Assembly floor by May 13.

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