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) rounded off his Cabinet formation with the induction of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) MLA Vanni Arasu (Tindivanam) and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MLA A.M. Shahjahan (Papanasam).

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

Portfolio allocation

A Lok Bhawan media release stated Mr. Shahjahan will be the Minister for Minorities Welfare, while Mr. Vanni Arasu will be handling Adi Dravidar Welfare and Hill Tribes portfolio, and will be known as Minister for Social Justice.

With the completion of the last round of Cabinet expansion, the strength of the Council of Ministers has risen to the sanctioned strength of 35 in the 234-member House. On Thursday (May 21, 2026), 23 MLAs — 21 from the TVK and two from the Congress — joined the earlier 10-member Cabinet.

This is the first time the VCK and the IUML have been made part of the government. With the induction of 55-year-old Mr. Vanni Arasu, who studied up to Class XII, the number of Scheduled Caste members in the Cabinet has increased to eight. Villupuram district has also got representation in the Council of Ministers with this.

Hailing from Thirumangalakudi in Thanjavur district, the 57-year-old Mr. Shahjahan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Jamal Mohamed College in Tiruchi. He is also the founder-secretary of educational institutions in Thirumangalakudi.