With VCK’s Vanni Arasu and IUML’s Shahjahan on board, Vijay’s Cabinet in Tamil Nadu now has 35 Ministers

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Friday, May 22, 2026, completed the Cabinet formation with the induction of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), MLA Vanni Arasu (Tindivanam) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MLA AM Shahjahan (Papanasam).

Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new Ministers in the presence of Mr. Vijay and his Cabinet colleagues at Lok Bhavan in Chennai.

Portfolio allocation

Mr Shahjahan will be the Minister for Minorities Welfare, while Mr Vanni Arasu will head the Adi Dravidar Welfare and Hill Tribes portfolio and will be known as the Minister for Social Justice, a Lok Bhawan press release said.

With the completion of the last round of Cabinet expansion, the strength of the Council of Ministers increased to 35 members, approved by the 234-member Parliament. On Thursday, May 21, 2026, 23 MLAs, including 21 from TVK and two from Congress, joined the earlier 10-member Cabinet.

This is the first time that VCK and IUML have become part of the government. With the appointment of Mr. Vanni Arasu, 55, who studied up to Class XII, the number of Scheduled Caste members in the Cabinet increased to eight. Villupuram district is also represented in the Council of Ministers with this.

Hailing from Thirumangalakudi in Thanjavur district, Mr. Shahjahan, 57, holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Jamal Mohamed College, Tiruchi. He is also the founder secretary of educational institutions in Thirumangalakudi.