Chenni, 20 May (H.S.):The C. Joseph Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government is preparing for its first Cabinet expansion on Thursday, in what is emerging as a politically significant exercise aimed at balancing alliance expectations, strengthening regional representation and addressing internal party equations.
Sources in the ruling establishment indicated that the final phase of discussions over the new ministerial lineup is nearing completion ahead of a likely swearing-in ceremony expected to take place on Thursday morning. The expansion comes just days after the new government assumed office and is being viewed as a crucial step in stabilising the administration and ensuring broader political accommodation.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who currently holds additional charge, is expected to arrive in Chennai on Wednesday evening to oversee the formal procedures connected with the Cabinet expansion.
The move is expected to provide representation to key alliance partners, with Congress likely to secure a place in the ministry. Congress legislators S. Rajeshkumar and P. Viswanathan have emerged as frontrunners for ministerial positions, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
At the same time, speculation over possible Cabinet berths for AIADMK legislators aligned with C. Ve. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani appears to have weakened considerably. Sources said strong objections raised by Congress, Left parties and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) prompted the TVK leadership to avoid pursuing such a politically sensitive move.
A senior minister, speaking on condition of anonymity, clarified that there had never been any official discussion regarding the induction of AIADMK legislators into the Cabinet. The support extended by rebel AIADMK MLAs during the Assembly confidence vote, the minister said, was merely political support offered on the floor of the House.
Government sources also said legal advisers had cautioned against taking decisions that could create political complications during the early phase of the government's tenure.
Meanwhile, intense lobbying has reportedly begun within TVK ranks, with several first-time MLAs and influential party leaders pushing for ministerial representation.
The Cabinet reshuffle is also expected to fill vacancies across several important departments. More than 20 portfolios, including Higher Education, Revenue, Transport, Social Welfare, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Tourism, Information Technology, Labour Welfare, Fisheries and Environment, are yet to have dedicated ministers.
Secretariat officials said some departments are currently functioning under temporary supervision by existing ministers while administrative work and file clearances continue pending formal portfolio allocation. The expansion is expected to bring greater clarity and administrative stability to the functioning of the new government.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
