Chennai: As part of the cabinet expansion in Tamil Nadu, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) MLA Vanni Arasu and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MLA A.M. Shahjahan were sworn in as ministers on Friday. The oath of office was administered by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan in Chennai, in the presence of senior political leaders and officials.

Vanni Arasu, who represents the Tindivanam Assembly constituency, and Shahjahan, the MLA from Papanasam, were inducted into the cabinet following a recommendation from Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, which was subsequently approved by the Governor. The move comes as the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government continues to expand and consolidate its council of ministers.

Earlier in the week, the Chief Minister expanded his cabinet by assigning portfolios to several TVK MLAs, including B. Rajkumar (Housing and Urban Development), Vijay Tamilan Parthiban A (Transport), R.V. Ranjithkumar (Forests), V. Sampath Kumar (Backward Classes Welfare), and V. Gandhiraj (Co-operation).

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With the latest allocations, a total of 23 ministers have been assigned portfolios since the formation of the new government. The state has also reportedly become the second in the country after Kerala to establish a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) department at the cabinet level.

Chief Minister Vijay has retained key portfolios, including Home, Police, Municipal Administration, and Urban and Water Supply, along with additional responsibilities such as Special Initiatives, Poverty Alleviation, and Rural Indebtedness. The Women Welfare portfolio has been reassigned to K. Jegadeshwari, who now serves as Minister for Social Welfare and Women Empowerment.

Other key allocations include KA Sengottaiyan handling Revenue, Disaster Management, and related departments, while N. Marie Wilson has been given charge of Finance, Pensions, and Planning & Development.

Meanwhile, Congress MLAs S. Rajesh Kumar and P. Viswanathan also took oath as ministers as part of the broader cabinet reshuffle.

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