Vijay expands Cabinet, inducts 23 more ministers; Vande Mataram vs Tamil anthem row

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday expanded his Cabinet, inducting twenty-one legislators alongside two representatives from the Congress party. This marks the national party's return to the state government after nearly sixty years. The cabinet features a young demographic, including professionals and actors, with the youngest minister aged twenty-eight. However, the expansion has triggered significant political controversy. The opposition has questioned the credentials of the newly appointed finance minister, citing an old video to allege a criminal background. Further friction emerged during the swearing-in ceremony regarding the order of anthems. The national song, Vande Mataram, was played before the state anthem, Tamil Thai Vaazhthu, in the presence of the governor. Opposition leaders claim this sequence violates state tradition and compromises linguistic pride. Supporters of the administration and the national party defend the protocol, citing official guidelines for events attended by the governor. Meanwhile, Congress leadership maintains the alliance respects the mandate for a secular government, dismissing allegations of betrayal by former political allies.