Congress Set to Join Tamil Nadu Government After 59 Years

• Congress to join Tamil Nadu government after nearly six decades
• Two Congress MLAs to take oath as ministers in Vijay cabinet
• TVK invites VCK and IUML to join ruling coalition
• Left parties to continue outside support to government

GG News Bureau
Chennai, 20th May: The Indian National Congress is set to return to power in Tamil Nadu after 59 years as Chief Minister Vijay prepares to expand his cabinet on Wednesday.

Senior Congress leader K. C. Venugopal announced that Congress MLAs Rajesh Kumar and P. Vishwanathan would take oath as ministers in the Tamil Nadu government.

Venugopal described the development as a “historic occasion” for the Congress, which has remained outside power in the state since the rise of Dravidian parties led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

The Congress had been an ally of the DMK for over a decade but was never included in the state cabinet during the alliance period.

After the Assembly elections, the party broke away from the DMK and aligned with Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam following the TVK’s strong electoral performance.

The TVK-led coalition fell short of a majority but later formed the government with outside support from alliance partners.

Congress contested 27 seats in the election and won five constituencies.

Senior TVK leader and minister Aadhav Arjuna said the ruling party has also invited the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Indian Union Muslim League to join the Council of Ministers.

Arjuna said Chief Minister Vijay wanted alliance partners to participate in governance and strengthen the coalition government.

He added that the TVK respects the decision of the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) to extend outside support to the government.

The cabinet expansion is expected to further consolidate the ruling alliance in Tamil Nadu amid shifting political equations in the state.