Chennai, 21 May (H.S.):In a major administrative and political exercise aimed at strengthening governance and expanding representation, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Thursday carried out the first major expansion of the Tamil Nadu Cabinet by inducting 23 new ministers and simultaneously reshuffling several important portfolios within the government.

The expansion, which comes less than two weeks after the formation of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government, significantly broadens the administrative structure of the new dispensation and is being viewed as an effort to balance regional representation, alliance commitments and governance priorities while filling key departments that remained unassigned during the initial phase of government formation.

One of the most politically significant developments in the expansion was the induction of Congress representatives into the ministry, marking the party’s return to the Tamil Nadu government after nearly six decades. S. Rajesh Kumar, MLA from Killiyoor, and P. Viswanathan, MLA from Melur, were sworn in as ministers and allotted important responsibilities.

Rajesh Kumar was assigned the Tourism portfolio, while Viswanathan received charge of Higher Education, including Technical Education, Electronics, Science and Technology.

Alongside the induction of new ministers, the government introduced substantial changes to the portfolios of senior members of the Cabinet. Chief Minister Vijay retained key departments including Home, Police and General Administration, while also bringing Special Initiatives and Poverty Alleviation-related subjects directly under his control.

Minister N. Anand relinquished responsibilities related to poverty alleviation, while modifications were introduced in departments handled by R. Nirmalkumar. A major portfolio shift saw senior leader K.A. Sengottaiyan moved from Finance to Revenue and Disaster Management, while the crucial Finance, Planning and Development portfolio was handed over to newly inducted minister N. Marie Wilson.

Several sectors that had remained without dedicated representation also received ministerial oversight, including Agriculture, Housing, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Services, Labour Welfare and Social Welfare.

Officials said the Cabinet expansion is expected to improve administrative efficiency and provide focused attention to sector-specific priorities as the government enters its first full phase of governance.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman