From Reel To Real: Thalapathy Vijay's Nine-Member Power Play Reshapes Tamil Nadu Politics

A Star-Studded Entry Into Governance
Tamil Nadu woke up to a political milestone on the morning of May 10, 2026, as C. Joseph Vijay took the oath of office as Chief Minister at Chennai's Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar approved Vijay's recommendation for the nine-minister cabinet, making it one of the most compact debut governments the southern state has seen. TVK, which contested its first-ever state election, emerged as the single largest party and crossed the crucial 50-lakh vote threshold to gain recognition as an official political party.

The Nine Pillars Of The Vijay Government
The new Chief Minister chose to retain the key portfolios of Home (Police) and Public Administration for himself, signaling that law, order, and governance reform are at the top of his agenda. Senior leader K. A. Sengottaiyan is expected to oversee the Public Works Department, while N. Anand is assigned Municipal Administration. The cabinet also features Aadhav Arjuna in Sports and Prohibition Enforcement, P. Venkataramanan in School Education, and C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar heading the Electricity Department. Arun Raj takes Commercial Taxes and Registration, Rajmohan handles Adi Dravidar Welfare, and Dr. T.K. Prabhu and Selvi S. Keerthana round out the full nine-member roster.

A Coalition Arithmetic That Delivered
Despite TVK winning 108 seats — short of the 118-seat majority mark — Vijay opened cabinet berths to alliance partners to form a stable government. Minority Welfare is expected to go to V.N.S. Mustafa, reflecting the coalition's inclusive approach toward minority communities. Congress leaders were also reported to be in contention for cabinet inclusion, cementing the broad-tent strategy of the TVK alliance.

Cabinet Highlights

• CM Vijay retains Home and Public Administration, India's most high-stakes state portfolio
• K.A. Sengottaiyan, a veteran administrator, anchors the Public Works Department
• Aadhav Arjuna leads Sports Development and Prohibition Enforcement
• School Education goes to P. Venkataramanan, signaling a focus on public learning
• Electricity under C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar with Tamil Nadu's power sector under close watch
• Selvi S. Keerthana marks a new-generation face in the nine-member cabinet
• Raj Mohan leads Adi Dravidar Welfare, reinforcing social equity goals
• Lean cabinet of nine reflects deliberate, phase-wise government formation strategy

Sources: Times Now, MENAFN/IANS, Times of India, Indian Express, NewSX