Vijay-led Cabinet to be expanded, Cong to join govt

The TVK Cabinet in Tamil Nadu will be expanded on Thursday with the inclusion of two Congress MLAs, marking the national party's return to government after decades.

Nearly two weeks after forming government, the maiden TVK Cabinet will be expanded on Thursday with the inclusion of two Congress MLAs in the C Joseph Vijay-led ministry.

This marks the national party's return to government in Tamil Nadu after decades as the Dravidian majors--DMK and AIADMK, have never accommodated allies, including the Congress that has aligned with both the parties at different points of time.

The first non-Congress government in post-independent India was ushered in by Dravidian stalwart and DMK founder CN Annadaurai in 1967 when he led the party to a stupendous win against the then ruling Congress.

On Thursday, Congress legislators S Rajesh Kumar and P Viswanathan will take oath as ministers, AICC general secretary K C Venugopal had said on Wednesday.

The swearing-in ceremony of the ministers will be held at 10 am on Thursday, but the Lok Bhavan has not specified how many of them will take oath.

TVK top leader and Minister for Public Works and Sports Development, Aadhav Arjuna on Wednesday urged the Congress, VCK and IUML to join the government and said it was the wish of Chief Minister Vijay.

Viswanathan was elected from Melur (Madurai) and Rajesh Kumar won from Killiyoor segment (Kanyakumari).