IUML On Board, VCK Yet To Decide: Vijay Govt Set For Another Cabinet Expansion Tomorrow

Last Updated:May 21, 2026, 17:07 IST

Earlier today, Chief Minister Vijay expanded his Cabinet, with 23 MLAs taking oath as ministers in the council.

Tamil Nadu Cabinet Expansion: The Joseph Vijay-led Tamil Nadu Government is likely headed for another cabinet expansion on Friday, with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) confirming its decision to join the government and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) deliberating on the move.

IUML Confirms Development

IUML has confirmed the decision and met Chief Minister Vijay on Thursday. Party MLA AM Shahjahan would be inducted into the cabinet if the expansion goes ahead as planned.

Speaking on the development, IUML national president KM Kader Mohideen said that the party had initially extended “unconditional support" to ensure the formation and stability of a non-BJP government in Tamil Nadu.

“IUML has decided to extend unconditional support for the formation of a government under Vijay’s leadership. Tamil Nadu secured 108 seats, short of a majority, and sought support from other parties. Congress, the Communist parties, and VCK extended their backing, bringing the tally to 116 – just two short of the required majority. IUML was then approached and agreed to support," he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

Mohideen further said the party had not sought ministerial positions and described the invitation to join the ministry as “unexpected".

VCK Holding Discussions

Meanwhile, VCK, another crucial ally extending support to the Vijay-led government, is holding discussions on whether to join the coalition formally. However, NDTV reported that the VCK has agreed to join the TVK-led government.

According to sources, party MLA Vanni Arasu is likely to be offered a cabinet berth if the party agrees to participate in the government. If all goes well, the oath ceremony of new ministers would be held tomorrow.

Tamil Nadu Cabinet Expansion

Earlier today, Chief Minister Vijay expanded his Cabinet, with 23 MLAs taking oath as ministers in the council.

Of the 23 inductees, 19 MLAs from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), while two legislators from ally Congress were sworn in as ministers.

The TVK MLAs who took oath today include Srinath, Kamali S, C Vijayalakshmi, RV Ranjithkumar, Vinoth, Rajeev, B Rajkumar, V Gandhiraj, Mathan Raja P, Jegadeshwari K, Rajesh Kumar S, M Vijay Balaji, Logesh Tamilselvan D, Vijay Tamilan Parthiban A, Ramesh, P Viswanathan, Kumar R, Thennarasu K, V Sampath Kumar, Mohamed Farvas J, D Sarathkumar, N Marie Wilson, Vignesh K.

The two Congress MLAs, who took oath in the Vijay-led government, are Rajesh Kumar and Thiru P. Vishwanathan.

Vijay’s TVK had emerged as the single-largest force in the Assembly but fell marginally short of a majority, making the support of smaller allies such as IUML and VCK crucial for the stability of the government.

News india IUML On Board, VCK Yet To Decide: Vijay Govt Set For Another Cabinet Expansion Tomorrow

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