Chennai, May 21 (IANS) For the first time in nearly six decades, the Indian National Congress is set to become part of the Tamil Nadu Cabinet, with two of its MLAs scheduled to take oath as ministers in the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led government on Thursday.

The announcement came after Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge approved the induction of party MLAs S. Rajesh Kumar and P. Viswanathan into the state Cabinet headed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

The development is being seen as a significant political shift in Tamil Nadu, marking what observers describe as a renewed phase of power-sharing within the ruling alliance supporting the TVK government.

Speaking to IANS, Congress MP Manickam Tagore said the moment is historic for the party after a long gap.

“It’s a very important day for the Congress, and we all feel that 59 years is a long time. The Congress party has always been for the people. We had shared power with others, we had given power to others, and we had to wait for so many years to come to power in Tamil Nadu. It’s a very important day for us,” he said.

Tamil Nadu Congress State President K. Selvaperunthagai told IANS the induction coincides with the memorial day of former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi and expressed confidence that the newly-inducted ministers would work in line with his ideals.

“Today is the memorial day of late Rajiv Gandhi. Walking on Rajiv Gandhi’s path, our ministers will definitely work hard for the people as well as for the Congress cadres,” he said.

Congress incharge of Tamil Nadu Girish Chodankar said party workers were enthusiastic about the development, calling it the result of long-standing demand for representation in governance.

“My cadre is very happy and excited because they had long desired power-sharing and respect in the government, and now they have achieved it. We dedicate both ministries to our party workers because they stood firmly with our ideology and our party through both good and difficult times. Even when we had no hope of coming to power, they remained determined,” he told IANS.

Congress leader Su. Thirunavukkarasar, speaking to IANS, welcomed the decision and thanked the TVK leadership for including the party in the Cabinet.

“It’s good, it’s a welcome move. I appreciate and thank Vijay, President of TVK and present CM, for giving this offer and admitting the Congress into his Cabinet. It’s nice of him. I thank him on behalf of the Congress and its cadres,” he said.

Senior Congress leader K.V. Thangkabalu also expressed satisfaction over the development, recalling past attempts at power-sharing arrangements in the state.

“We are very happy that the Indian National Congress is joining the ministry after 59 years. In fact, in 2009, we demanded a power-sharing arrangement, and Mr Karunanidhi had agreed at that time, but it could not happen,” Thangkabalu told IANS.

The Cabinet expansion comes in the backdrop of political realignments following the Tamil Nadu Assembly election results declared on May 4, which produced a fractured mandate in the 234-member Assembly, with no single party securing an outright majority.

–IANS

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