Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, May 15: The Indian National Congress is set to become part of the Tamil Nadu government for the first time since 1967, with two Congress legislators likely to be inducted into the Cabinet led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.
The development is expected to take place during the imminent expansion of Vijay’s nine-member Cabinet.
Congress Lok Sabha whip Manickam Tagore described the move as a historic moment for party workers.
“After 59 years, two Congress ministers will be part of the Tamil Nadu government. For thousands of Congress workers like me, this is an emotional and historically significant moment,” Tagore said in a social media post.
Sources said Vijay had earlier asked the Congress to nominate a representative for Cabinet induction when he was sworn in as Chief Minister on May 10. However, the party reportedly failed to finalise names within the stipulated time, missing the opportunity to join the ministry during the swearing-in ceremony attended by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
According to sources, the Congress is likely to nominate P Viswanathan, a Dalit leader who won from a general constituency, and Congress Legislature Party leader Rajesh Kumar for ministerial positions.
However, if the TVK leadership insists on including a woman representative, Colachel MLA Tharahai Cuthbert may be selected, as she is reportedly the only woman Congress MLA elected in the state.
“If the TVK is fine with both nominees being men, Viswanathan and Rajesh Kumar will become ministers,” sources said.
Political observers noted that the Congress had earlier missed an opportunity to secure a share in power in 2006 when the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government depended on Congress support.
Tagore, who had consistently advocated for coalition participation, said the previous DMK leadership had opposed coalition governance in Tamil Nadu.
“People have already delivered their verdict on that. The people of Tamil Nadu have said they want to participate in government. History is being written. TVK chief Vijay, who said alliance parties would always be given a share in power, has kept his promise,” he said.
He also called for Tamil Nadu to move away from what he termed “36 per cent commission politics” towards a corruption-free administration.