Vijay's TVK rules out cabinet berths for AIADMK rebels after VCK, CPM warnings

Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has assured its allies that rebel AIADMK MLAs extending support to the government will not be accommodated in the cabinet, amid objections from the VCK and the Left parties.

The clarification came after speculation that a section of breakaway AIADMK legislators backing the TVK-led government could be rewarded with ministerial berths during the upcoming cabinet expansion.

VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan said his party had already conveyed its position to TVK and warned that any move to include rebel AIADMK MLAs in the ministry could force allies to reconsider their support.

“I had said this a few days ago. If TVK welcomes the rebel AIADMK group and gives them cabinet posts, we may have to reconsider our support,” Thirumavalavan said.

He, however, said the VCK had since received an assurance from TVK that no such move was being planned. “We have received information that there are no such attempts. TVK has informed us that there will be no cabinet posts for the rebel AIADMK faction,” the VCK leader said.

Sources said the CPI(M) had also taken a similar stand and expressed reservations over any formal power-sharing arrangement involving rebel AIADMK legislators.

The assurance comes as Chief Minister Vijay prepares for a major cabinet expansion, with the Congress likely to get two berths. TVK general secretary Aadhav Arjuna said earlier in the day that the Chief Minister would soon announce the expansion and that the party remained open to power-sharing with allies.

Aadhav said Vijay wanted to accommodate parties that had stood for social justice, especially the Congress, which supported the TVK-led government. He said the Chief Minister had insisted that the Congress join the cabinet.

He also said TVK respected the Left parties’ decision to support the government from outside, but invited the VCK and the IUML to be part of the ministry.

“TVK is open to power-sharing. Tamil Nadu will see power-sharing for the first time since 1967,” Aadhav said, adding that the Congress, VCK and IUML had been invited to join the cabinet.

Vijay assumed office as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on May 10 and was sworn in along with nine ministers, including N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna and KA Sengottaiyan. The expansion is expected as the newly formed government prepares for its first full-fledged Assembly session and key administrative decisions in the coming weeks.

At TVK’s first convention in Vikravandi, Vijay had promised that parties and leaders extending support to his government would receive appropriate representation in governance. Consultations with alliance partners and supporting leaders are now underway to finalise the expanded ministry.

Sources said the cabinet could eventually expand to nearly 34 members, with TVK expected to retain most key portfolios while balancing alliance commitments and caste-regional equations.

The swearing-in ceremony for the additional ministers is expected to take place at Raj Bhavan in Chennai, where Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar will administer the oath of office.