Vijay retains home, administration as Tamil Nadu govt finalises portfolio allocation

DAYS after Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay passed the Legislative Assembly's floor test with flying colours, Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Saturday approved the allocation of portfolios that the former had recommended.

With Governor Arlekar's assent, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government is officially finalised, about a week after the issues it faced with government formation, despite emerging as the single-largest party in the 2026 elections.

As per the Lok Bhavan statement, CM Vijay will hold onto Home Affairs, which includes public administration, general administration, the police, women and youth welfare, the welfare of children, elderly, and differently abled people, municipal administration, and urban and rural water supply.

Senior leader K.A. Sengottaiyan gets the Finance portfolio, which puts him in charge of finances, pensions and pension allowances in Vijay's government.

Selvi S. Keerthana, who already made a name for herself by becoming one of the youngest female members of the TVK cabinet, has now received the Industries portfolio.

This puts her in charge of industries and investment promotion—an important allocation that has already sparked a buzz in political circles.

‘Bussy' N Anand, who is the heart of the TVK machine and a key factor in the party's grassroots mobilisation power, has become the Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources.

This also gives the 61-year-old the reins over matters like poverty alleviation programmes, education, and medical and family welfare.

Aadhav Arjuna, another of Vijay's right-hand men with prior links to both the VCK and the DMK and a proven strategy that helped Vijay get a sweeping win in Perambur, his home turf, has received the Public Works (including buildings, highways and ports) and Sports Development charge.

Former IRS officer Dr K.G. Arunraj, a key component of Vijay's inner circle, has become the Minister for Health, Medical Education, and Family Welfare, while R. Nirmalkumar has been made the Minister for Energy Resources and Law. 

The latter, a key cog in the party's propaganda machine, handles Electricity and Non-Conventional Energy Development, Law, Courts, Prisons and Prevention of Corruption, Legislative Assembly, Governor, Elections and Passports.

P. Venkatramanan has been made the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, which also includes consumer protection and price control, while Dr T.K Prabhu got Natural Resources.

Finally, Rajmohan has been allocated the School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity portfolio, which also puts him in charge of Archaeology, Tamil culture, film technology and the Cinematograph Act, newsprint control, stationery and printing, and the government press.