Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has retained control of some of the most politically sensitive departments, including the Home Ministry, Police, General Administration, Women’s Welfare, Youth Welfare and Municipal Administration, in the first Tamil Nadu Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) government, while the finances have been allocated to former AIADMK veteran K A Sengottaiyan.
Governor Rajendra Arlikar on Saturday approved allotment of portfolios to the nine ministers, along with Vijay, who were sworn in on May 10.
“In accordance with the recommendations of the Prime Minister, portfolios and allocations to the Cabinet with which he took oath on May 10, the Governor has approved the allocation of portfolios,” a statement issued by Lok Bhavan said.
Accordingly, Vijay will assume the positions of General Administration, Home Administration, Special Program Implementation, Women and Youth Welfare, Municipal Administration, Urban Administration and Water Supply.
The main portfolios are reserved for senior leaders
TVK general secretary N Anand, who won from Thiyagarayanagar, has been allotted for rural development and water resources. His portfolios include panchayats, poverty alleviation, rural indebtedness, irrigation and irrigation projects.
Party General Secretary (Campaign) Aadhav Arjuna, a key member of Vijay’s core team, has been appointed Minister of Public Works and Sports Development. He will oversee public works, buildings, highways, small ports and sports development. Former Deputy Prime Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin earlier held the sports portfolio in the DMK government.
Sivagasi MLA S Keerthana, the youngest and only female cabinet minister, has been made Minister for Industries and will oversee industries and investment promotion, a portfolio previously held by former DMK minister TRB Rajaa.
Former IPS officer and TVK General Secretary (Politics and Publicity) KG Arunraj has been allotted health, medical education and family welfare.
KA Sengottaiyan, Gobichettipalayam MLA, will handle matters of finance, pension and retirement allowances.
Additional Cabinet responsibilities
TVK Treasurer and Mylapore MLA P Venkataraman has been appointed Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, with additional responsibility for consumer protection and price control.
Power, resources and law were allotted to Joint General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar. Its departments include electricity, unconventional energy development, law, courts, prisons, anti-corruption, legislature, elections, and passports.
Egmore Party legislator Rajmohan has been appointed Minister of School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity. He will also supervise archaeology, official Tamil language and culture, film technology, newsprint control, stationery and printing, and the government press.
Karaikudi MLA Dr TK Prabhu will take charge of the natural resources portfolio, including minerals and mines.
TVK won 108 seats in the Assembly elections, 10 short of the majority mark, and formed the government with outside support from the Congress, the Left parties, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).
Vijay also resigned from Tiruchy East constituency, one of the two seats from which he contested and won the Assembly elections.
