'Historic occasion': Tamil Nadu to get Congress ministers after 59 years as two party MLAs to take oath on Thursday

NEW DELHI: The Congress is set to return to the Tamil Nadu cabinet after nearly 60 years, after party president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday approved the induction of MLAs Rajesh Kumar and P Vishwanathan into the cabinet led by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay.The announcement was made by Congress national general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal. He said the MLAs will take oath as ministers on Thursday.“Hon’ble INC President Mallikarjun Kharge has approved the induction of INC MLAs Adv. Rajesh Kumar and Thiru P. Vishwanathan into the Tamil Nadu cabinet, and they will be taking oath as ministers tomorrow. This is a historic occasion for us, as the Congress joins the Tamil Nadu cabinet after a long gap of 59 years!” Venugopal posted on X.“I convey my best wishes to them. We are confident that they will deliver on the hopes and aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu and work to realise the bold vision of welfare and pro-people governance laid down by LOP Rahul Gandhi,” he added.The Congress had contested the Tamil Nadu assembly elections held on April 23 in alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which was voted out after a single term. Vijay's TVK, launched in February 2024, emerged as the single-largest party but fell short of a majority by 10 seats in the 234-member assembly.Subsequently, the actor-turned-politician sought the Congress’ support, which he received on the condition that no “communal force” would be included in the alliance. Later, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Left parties also extended support to the TVK, helping it cross the majority mark.Both DMK and its arch-rival All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) had governed Tamil Nadu since 1967 before TVK’s surprise win. Neither the DMK nor the AIADMK gave their allies positions in their governments.The MK Stalin-led party accused the Congress of “backstabbing” it and called off the alliance.