The nine ministers, who were sworn in alongside Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay in Chennai on Sunday, represent diverse backgrounds, displaying a mix of youth and experience. From a doctor, a lawyer of the professional class, to seasoned politicians with years of experience, the TVK government is taking shape, capitalizing on Vijay’s mass appeal among the youth.
Of the nine ministers, Anand, the party’s general secretary, has the most weight on the government. An alumnus of Calve College Government Higher Secondary School, Puducherry, Vaz Anand from Thiyagarayanagar Assembly constituency. The 61-year-old is called Vijay’s “long-time close aide”.
R Aadhav Arjuna
R Aadhav Arjuna Rajendran is the son-in-law of ‘lottery’ king Santiago Martin and AIADMK MLA Leema Rose. Arjuna, a prominent businessman and former basketball player, was behind TVK’s electoral strategies. He emerged victorious from Villivakkam constituency. Arjuna is the former Deputy General Secretary of VCK and joined TVK in January 2025.
KG Arunraj
Arunraj, 46, is a doctor and government employee-turned-politician who has served in various states including Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Maharashtra in the Income Tax Department. Arunraj joined TVK after his voluntary retirement in 2025. Hailing from Thiruchengod, Arunraj is the party’s general secretary for publicity and policy. Before entering politics, he was known for his medical background and outreach work, which built his profile in Tamil Nadu.
Ka Sengotayan
An experienced politician and 10-time legislator, Sengottaiyan, who is the oldest in TVK at 78, is a gounder who hails from Gopichetipalayam. He was expelled from the AIADMK and is now the chief coordinator of TVK. He was a close confidant of late AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa, and his presence in TVK is expected to add a big boost to TVK.
R Nirmal Kumar
Kumar, 44, hails from the assembly sector in Thiruparankundram and is self-employed. He holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Laws, and completed a Master’s degree in Criminology and Police Administration. Later, he worked in the digital wing of both AIADMK and BJP. He is known for his skills in digital campaigns and communication. He transformed the digital network into a professional setup that allowed TVK to reach a larger audience beyond the performance of established political parties.
Rajmohan Arumugam
The 39-year-old actor, stand-up comedian, TV anchor and director Rajmohan, who hails from the Dalit community, emerged victorious in the Egmore Council (SC) segment in the April 23 polls. Rajmohan, a popular media personality, known for his popular YouTube channel ‘Put Chutney’, appeals strongly to the urban youth and provides the cultural translation needed to engage Gen Z voters.
TK Prabhu
Dr Prabhu, 41, from the Karaikudi assembly category and comes from a family of farmers, won. He is a dentist by profession and has been active in social welfare through his medical profession and TVK’s outreach programme. Prabhu, who hails from the Thevar community, is the party’s Sivajana East district secretary.
S. Keerthana
The youngest single minister, 30-year-old Keerthana is fluent in multiple languages and is known as the first woman MLA from Sivagasi Assembly constituency, which is known as the “fireworks capital of the country”. Keerthana is an undergraduate student in mathematics and a postgraduate in statistics from the Central University of Puducherry. Her recent interaction in Hindi while seeking votes has received enough attention as speaking Hindi is politically sensitive in Tamil Nadu.
P. Venkataramanan
TVK treasurer Venkataramanan, 48, belongs to the Hindu Brahmin community and has served as Vijay’s trusted legal and professional advisor for several decades. He is a lawyer by profession and has done M Com, LLB and MBA. Also a chartered accountant, Venkataramanan represents the professional class within TVK’s leadership. He emerged victorious in the Mylapore Assembly segment – a Brahmin-influenced constituency.
