Congress’ wait to affix the Tamil Nadu Cupboard continues

Regardless of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi collaborating within the swearing-in of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in Chennai on Sunday (Might 10, 2026), the historic second of Congress MLAs taking the oath as Cupboard Ministers after virtually six a long time didn’t come to cross.

Additionally learn: Swearing-in ceremony of T.N. CM Vijay highlights

Occasion sources mentioned the Congress requested the TVK to accommodate Melur MLA P. Viswanathan and Congress Legislature Occasion chief S. Rajeshkumar within the Cupboard.

Nevertheless, the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) advised that one Congress MLA be sworn in as a Minister now, and one other berth could possibly be given to the celebration in the course of the growth of the Cupboard. The Congress management felt that it was necessary for each MLAs to be sworn in collectively, given their significance to the celebration and their stature.

“Mr. Rajeshkumar is a three-time MLA and Mr. Viswanathan, a former MP, is a senior chief within the celebration. It was felt that it wouldn’t be acceptable for one to take the oath earlier than the opposite. So it was determined that the swearing-in could possibly be performed later,” a supply mentioned.

Moreover, sources mentioned the TVK was planning to rope within the AIADMK, with out its normal secretary Edappadi Okay. Palaniswami, as a part of the post-poll alliance, and AIADMK members are more likely to be accommodated within the Cupboard too. “All the coalition companions will probably be accommodated within the Cupboard collectively,” mentioned sources.

One other senior chief mentioned the optics of the Congress MLAs taking the oath as Cupboard Ministers within the presence of Mr. Gandhi would have despatched a robust message, and that chance was missed. “Mr. Gandhi will need to have insisted that the Congress MLAs change into Ministers in his presence. It might have been apt,” mentioned a senior chief.