The Indian National Congress made a historic return to the Tamil Nadu government on May 21, 2026, as part of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's Phase 2 cabinet expansion. This marks the Congress party's return to state governance in Tamil Nadu after nearly 59 years — their last representation in the state cabinet being in 1967.
Two Congress Ministers
- S. Rajesh Kumar — MLA, Killiyoor (Kanyakumari) · Tourism Minister
- P. Viswanathan — MLA, Melur (Madurai) · Higher Education Minister
- Congress won 5 seats in 2026: Killiyoor, Melur + 3 others
- Congress last held a cabinet post in TN in 1967 under C.N. Annadurai's coalition
Alliance Framework
TVK won 108 seats in the 2026 election — 10 short of the 118 majority mark. The party formed the government with support from Congress (5 seats), VCK (2 seats), IUML (2 seats), CPI (2 seats), and CPI(M) (2 seats), along with support from 4 AIADMK MLAs who later resigned from their parent party. The coalition's floor test on May 13 produced a comfortable 144-in-favour victory.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi personally congratulated the party's Tamil Nadu leaders on their cabinet induction, describing it as a new chapter in the Congress–TVK alliance.
"The Congress has returned to the Tamil Nadu cabinet not just as a partner but as a committed ally for the welfare of Tamil Nadu's people." — Congress Statement, May 21, 2026
Historical Significance
Congress was the dominant political force in Tamil Nadu from Independence until 1967, when the DMK swept to power under C.N. Annadurai. Since then, Tamil Nadu politics has largely been defined by the Dravidian parties — DMK and AIADMK. The return of Congress to the cabinet under the TVK alliance represents a significant shift in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.
Prior to the Congress induction, VCK (Vanni Arasu) and IUML (A.M. Shahjahan) ministers were also sworn in on May 22, completing the full 35-member cabinet.