The Indian National Congress is set to return to the Tamil Nadu cabinet after nearly 59 years, marking a major political development in the state’s history.
Congress MLAs Rajesh Kumar and P. Vishwanathan are expected to be sworn in as ministers in the government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
Their induction into the cabinet signals the Congress party’s formal entry into the ruling coalition and its first participation in the Tamil Nadu state executive since the late 1960s.
Political observers described the move as historic because Tamil Nadu politics has long been dominated by strong regional parties, with national parties playing mostly supporting roles in alliances rather than directly holding cabinet power.
Sources within the alliance said discussions over cabinet representation had been ongoing for several weeks, with Congress seeking a stronger administrative role after supporting the coalition government.
The inclusion of Congress ministers is expected to strengthen coordination between alliance partners and improve the ruling coalition’s political reach ahead of future elections.
Supporters of the move say it reflects a new phase in Tamil Nadu politics, where coalition governance and national-regional party cooperation are becoming increasingly important.
Opposition parties, however, criticized the expansion, accusing the government of balancing political interests rather than focusing on governance priorities.
The swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place in Chennai, with senior leaders from coalition parties likely to attend the event.
Political analysts believe the cabinet reshuffle could influence alliance equations not only in Tamil Nadu but also in national opposition politics in the coming years.
