Chennai: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Sunday, along with nine party MLAs as state ministers.
The nine ministers are N. Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, Dr K.G. Arunraj, K.A. Sengottaiyan, P. Venkataramanan, R. Nirmalkumar, Rajmohan, T.K. Prabhu, and S. Keerthana. Portfolios will, however, be announced later.
The cabinet ministers are a blend of veteran experience, young energy, loyal strategists and professionals, reflecting TVK’s intent to balance governance continuity with fresh ideas as it ends decades of dominance by the two Dravidian parties, DMK and AIADMK.
N. Anand, who served as TVK general secretary since the party’s launch on February 2, 2024, is one of Vijay’s most trusted leaders and a key spokesperson who has been central to party operations, organisational politics, alliance talks and public messaging.
Anand won from Thiyagarayanagar constituency and is widely regarded for his administrative and organisational skills. he had earlier served as an MLA in the Puducherry Assembly, representing the Bussy constituency.
S. Keerthana, 29, made history as the first woman MLA from Sivakasi and her inclusion in the cabinet showcases youth and women’s representation in the TVK. Her addition to the cabinet signals TVK’s push for inclusivity and renewal in a traditional political landscape.
Aadhav Arjuna, general secretary for election campaign management who won from the Villivakkam constituency after joining the TVK in 2025, was also sworn in as minister.
A political strategist, philanthropist and sports administrator, Aadhav had earlier worked with the VCK (Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi). For TVK, he played a significant role in strategising political messaging to modernise the campaign with social media narratives, data driven posts, booth-level management, and outreach. He represents TVK’s emphasis on professional electioneering and appeal to younger, issue-based voters.
K.G. Arunraj, a doctor-turned-Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer who worked in the income tax department in Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Maharashtra, joined the TVK in 2025 as general secretary for policy and propaganda after voluntarily retiring from service.
Arunraj had a key role to play in drafting TVK’s manifesto and public consultations, with expertise in administration, policy and credibility from experience. His media interactions focused on effective governance and anti-corruption narratives that the TVK has promised to deliver. He won the elections from Tiruchengodu seat.
K.A. Sengottaiyan, one of the most experienced leaders to join the TVK cabinet, is a 10-time MLA and former AIADMK minister who joined the TVK in November 2025 after being expelled from the AIADMK.
Sengottaiayan brings in support of the Kongu belt in Tamil Nadu, besides organisational muscle in the western districts and crucial administrative experience.
Venkataramanan, a long-time Vijay associate and party treasurer who won from Mylapore, is another loyalist. He is the only minister from the Brahmin community in the state after late AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa. He is expected to handle the finance portfolio.
Joint general secretary Nirmal Kumar, who has been active in outreach and alliance-building with Left parties and ground campaigns, was also sworn in as minister. He won the elections from Thirupparankundram constituency, and has been actively involved in organisational strengthening to help expand TVK’s reach.
Rajmohan, who won the elections from Egmore, serves as deputy general secretary and propaganda secretary. Seen as one of the key TVK members engaged in public outreach, he comes with a media and content creation background. Rajmohan contested from the SC seat in Egmore and also brings the connect with marginalised communities for the party.
T.K. Prabhu, a dentist and district-level organiser from Sivaganga East, has been engaged in party outreach since TVK’s second conference in Madurai. He has expanded the public messaging of the party in southern districts, facilitating youth connect and entry of professionals and educated segments into politics.
TVK’s long-time loyalists N. Anand and Venkataramanan are expected to be at the centre of the party’s organisational operations, while Aadhav Arjuna, Arunraj and Nirmalkumar are expected to play a pivotal role in public outreach focused on modern politics and policy. Meanwhile, the party also showcases diversity with youth and women’s representation through Keerthana along with regional and professional voices like Rajmohan and Prabhu.
Analysts see the choice of ministers as TVK’s effort to project a break from past politics while ensuring the government doesn’t lack administrative experience.
“They need experienced individuals like Sengottaiayan even as the young party promising change brings in youth leaders like Prabhu and Aadhav Arjuna, while also ensuring social inclusivity with Keerthana and Rajmohan. The portfolios would speak more of how their expertise is utilised in the cabinet,” political analyst Arun Kumar told ThePrint.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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