VCK had earlier announced that it would follow the CPI and CPI and extend support to the TVK government from outside.
Chennai: Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar swore in VCK member Vanni Arasu as Minister for Social Justice and IUML’s A M Shahjahan as Minister for Minority Welfare on Friday taking the total strength of the Tamil Nadu Cabinet to 35 and turning the C Joseph Vijay-led government into a four-party coalition.
Though the VCK and IUML had supported the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) when it sought a vote of confidence in the State Assembly on May 13 after forming the government with 108 MLAs in the 234 member House, both the parties were reluctant to join the ministry. VCK had earlier announced that it would follow the CPI and CPI and extend support to the TVK government from outside.
However, when Vijay expanded his ministry on Thursday by adding 23 ministers to his 10-member Cabinet, including two nominees of the Congress, the focus turned on the VCK and IUML as they were not included in ministry though their leaders attended the swearing in at Lok Bhavan.
Subsequently, the parties decided to join the ministry on Thursday night with the VCK nominating its senior leader Vanni Arasu, who has won the Assembly election from Tindivanam constituency, and the IUML naming Shahjahan, MLA representing Papanasam constituency in Thanjavur district, as its nominee.
While Shahjahan was allotted the portfolios of Minorities Welfare and Wakf Board, Vanni Arasu will take care of Adi Dravidar Welfare and Hill Tribes, a notification from Lok Bhavan said.
Soon after the swearing in ceremony was over, both the new Ministers drove down to the Secretariat and assumed office. VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan called on Vanni Arasu at the latter’s chamber on the first day in office.
