Congress, AIADMK faction demands delay in cabinet formation

CHENNAI: Four days after C Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the Tamil Nadu chief minister and 10 TVK MLAs were sworn in as ministers, the govt is yet to allocate portfolios or put in place a full cabinet of ministers.Lobbying by Congress MLAs aspiring for ministerial berths and demands from the AIADMK faction supporting the govt are delaying the process. “An announcement may be made on May 18,” said a TVK minister. Congress is likely to get two berths in the cabinet. CPI and CPM, which supported the TVK-led govt during the trust vote, opted out of the ministry. VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan, who said the party backed TVK only to avoid the President’s rule, is yet to spell out his decision.VCK sources said Tindivanam MLA Vanniarasu could be inducted into the ministry if VCK agrees to join the govt. “Vijay is keen on sharing power with VCK,” a TVK minister said. If Thirumavalavan later contests and wins a byelection, he too could be considered for a berth.Meanwhile, AIADMK’s rebel faction which voted in favour of the govt on Wednesday, has also sought representation in the ministry. Sources said the group, comprising 25 MLAs, initially sought eight berths but later reduced its demand to five. “As they face the question of anti-defection rules, Vijay has put the proposal on hold,” said a TVK source.