Vijay cabinet reaches full strength of 35: Who are Shahjahan, Vanni Arasu sworn in as ministers today? | Today’s news
The Vijay-led TVK government on Friday, May 22, inducted two more ministers – AM Shahjahan and Vanni Arasu. Both legislators belong to IUML and VCK. They were sworn in as ministers by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Friday in a simple ceremony held at the Lok Bhavan in Chennai.
With the latest addition, the total number of ministers in the Tamil Nadu government, including CM Vijay, has gone up to 35. On May 10, TVK reported 10 ministers. As many as 23 new ministers were appointed on 21 May, including two from the Congress, and two more were given on 22 May.
The number of allies in the current ruling dispensation increases to four: two from Congress and one each from IUML and VCK.
Who is AM Shahjahan?
AM Shahjahan won Tamil Nadu election 2026 from Papanasam Assembly constituency. He has been made Minister for Minority Welfare, news agency PTI reported.
IUML leader Shahjahan, 57, holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Jamal Mohamed College in Tiruchirappalli. He hails from Thirumangalakudi in Thanjavur district.
He is involved in social services and is one of the founders of Assalam Charitable and Educational Trust in Thanjavur district, which focuses on community upliftment and development of higher education and welfare.
Despite the IUML initially extending unconditional support to the TVK government during the trust vote in the assembly, Chief Minister Vijay offered the party a cabinet berth.
Shahjahan was nominated by IUML national president KM Kader Mohideen to join the cabinet.
“I am really very happy. It is a historic moment for IUML. We have faced many elections in the past but this is the first time that IUML has entered the cabinet in Tamil Nadu,” Shahjahan said after taking the oath.
Who is Vanni Arasu?
Vanni Arasu emerged victorious from the Tindivanam segment and became the Social Justice Minister.
Newly appointed Minister Vanni Arasu is the Deputy General Secretary of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).
Along with Shahjahan, he made history by becoming the first ever VCK and IUML representative to be inducted into the Tamil Nadu Cabinet.
His activism draws on Ambedkar, Periyar and Tamil nationalist principles.
Vijay’s cabinet composition
Vijay inducted eight Dalit ministers – D Lokesh Tamilselvan, Vanni Arasu, Rajmohan, S Kamali, P Mathan Raju, K Thennaras, V Gandhiraj and P Viswanathan, PTI reported.
The cabinet also has for the first time two Brahmin ministers P Venkataraman and S Ramesh. There are four female ministers: S Kamali, S Keerthana, C Vijayalakshmi and K Jagadeshwari.
The Congress, out of power since 1967, joined the TVK government and got two ministers (Rajesh Kumar and P Viswanathan).
Like the Congress, other coalition parties also contested the April 23 Assembly elections in association with the DMK.
The average age of the cabinet is relatively low, as more than 11 ministers are under 40, while two female ministers, Keerthana and Kamali, are under 30.
