Congress’ wait to join the Tamil Nadu Cabinet continues

Despite Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attending the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in Chennai on Sunday, May 10, 2026, the historic moment of Congress MLAs taking oath as Cabinet Ministers after almost six decades did not happen.

Also read: Highlights of TN CM Vijay’s swearing-in ceremony

Party sources said the Congress has asked the TVK to include Melur MLA P. Viswanathan and Congress Legislative Assembly Party leader S. Rajeshkumar in the Cabinet.

However, the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has suggested that one of the Congress MLAs will now be sworn in as Minister and the party may be given another berth during the expansion of the Cabinet. The Congress leadership felt that it was important for both the MLAs to be sworn in together, considering their importance and status to the party.

“Mr Rajeshkumar is a three-time MP and former MP Mr Viswanathan is also one of the senior leaders of the party. It was felt that it would not be appropriate for one of them to take oath before the other. Therefore, it was decided that the swearing-in ceremony could be held later,” said a source.

Besides, TVK is planning to join AIADMK without its general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami as part of the post-poll alliance and AIADMK members are also likely to be in the Cabinet, sources said. Sources said, “All coalition partners will take part in the cabinet together.”

Another senior leader said Congress MPs taking oath as Cabinet Ministers in the presence of Mr Gandhi would have sent a strong message and the opportunity was missed. “Mr Gandhi must have insisted that Congress MPs become Ministers in his presence. This would have been appropriate,” said a senior leader.