India
In a significant political development in Tamil Nadu, the Congress party is set to return to the state cabinet after a gap of 59 years, with two of its MLAs scheduled to take oath as ministers in the Vijay-led government on Thursday. The announcement was made by Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal on Wednesday, who described the occasion as a “historic” moment for the party.
Congress legislators Rajesh Kumar and P Vishwanathan will join the Tamil Nadu ministry, formally giving the grand old party representation in the state cabinet for the first time since 1967. Venugopal shared the update on social media, congratulating both leaders and highlighting the political significance of Congress’s return to power in Tamil Nadu’s executive administration after nearly six decades.
“This is a historic occasion for us, as the Congress joins the Tamil Nadu cabinet after a long gap of 59 years,” Venugopal said in his post, extending his best wishes to the two legislators ahead of the swearing-in ceremony.
The induction comes in the backdrop of the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, where actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) made a striking electoral debut but fell short of securing a majority on its own. Following the declaration of results on May 4, Congress, which won five seats in the Assembly, was among the earliest parties to extend support to TVK in its bid to form the government.
Congress’s backing proved politically crucial in the post-poll arithmetic as Vijay sought allies to cross the majority mark. Over the following days, several other parties also announced support, helping TVK consolidate numbers and paving the way for Vijay to be sworn in as chief minister.
The induction of two Congress ministers is being seen as a reward for the party’s support and a sign of deeper cooperation between Congress and the Vijay-led coalition. It also marks a symbolic revival for Congress in Tamil Nadu politics, where the party has largely remained on the margins of state power for decades despite retaining pockets of electoral presence.
Political observers say the move could strengthen coalition stability while also giving Congress a more visible role in governance in a state where regional parties have dominated the political landscape for generations.
With Rajesh Kumar and P Vishwanathan entering the cabinet, the Congress will now have a direct stake in the functioning of the Tamil Nadu government, opening a new chapter in the party’s political engagement in the state.
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