Chennai: Ending a 59-year political exile, the Congress has joined the Tamil Nadu cabinet, with two of its MLAs taking oath as ministers in the CM Vijay-led government today (Thursday). This marks a significant shift in the state’s coalition politics and Congress’s long absence from Tamil Nadu government.
Rajesh Kumar S, MLA from Killiyoor, has been allotted the Tourism portfolio, including the Tourism Development Corporation, while Melur MLA P. Viswanathan will oversee Higher Education, Technical Education, Electronics, and Science and Technology.
AICC general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal confirmed the decision on Wednesday, stating that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had approved the induction of two party MLAs into the state cabinet.
Tamil Nadu Congress cabinet induction
Hon’ble INC President Sh. Mallikarjun @kharge ji has approved the induction of INC MLAs Adv. Rajesh Kumar and Thiru P. Vishwanathan into the Tamil Nadu cabinet led by CM Thiru Vijay, and they will be taking oath as Ministers tomorrow. This is a historic occasion for us, as the… — K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) May 20, 2026
“INC President Mallikarjun Kharge has approved the induction of INC MLAs Adv Rajesh Kumar and Thiru P Vishwanathan into the Tamil Nadu cabinet led by CM Thiru Vijay, and they will be taking oath as Ministers tomorrow,” Venugopal said in a post on X.
Venugopal called it a “historic occasion” and noted that the Congress was returning to the Tamil Nadu government after 59 decades.
“I convey my best wishes to them, we are confident that they will deliver on the hopes and aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu, and will work to realise the bold vision of welfare and pro-people governance laid down by LoP Rahul Gandhi ji,” he added.
Congress in Tamil Nadu
Congress governed Tamil Nadu, then known as Madras state, between 1952 and 1967 under C Rajagopalachari, K Kamaraj and K Bhaktavatsalam as chief ministers. The first provincial elections after Independence were held in 1952, marking the party’s early dominance in the state.
However, the political landscape shifted in 1967 when the DMK came to power. Since then, Congress remained outside the state government despite being part of alliances with both the DMK and AIADMK at different points. From 1967 to 2026, the party did not hold ministerial positions in Tamil Nadu.
During the 2006–11 DMK government, Congress had also sought a share in power but was unsuccessful in its attempt.
At present, Congress has five MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Assembly after the recently concluded elections. Initially contesting in alliance with the DMK, Congress walked out of the alliance following the election results on May 4.
Subsequently, Congress extended support to actor-turned-politician C Joseph Vijay’s TVK government, which did not secure a majority in the 234-member Assembly. With support from allies, Vijay’s government formation paved the way for Congress’s entry into the cabinet.
