Chennai, May 17, 2026: Actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay, who led his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to a historic victory in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, has announced the allocation of portfolios in his 10-member cabinet. The move comes just days after he was sworn in as Chief Minister, marking the end of the long-standing dominance of the DMK and AIADMK in the state.
In a significant decision, Chief Minister Vijay has chosen to retain several crucial portfolios for himself. These include Home, Police, Public (General) Administration, Women & Child Welfare, Youth Welfare, Welfare of Aged & Differently Abled, Municipal Administration, Urban Development, and Water Supply. By keeping direct control over law and order, general administration, and key welfare sectors, the new CM aims to ensure swift decision-making and focused governance in his initial months.
A notable highlight of the cabinet is the appointment of Selvi S. Keerthana, the 29-year-old MLA from Sivakasi, as the Minister for Industries and Investment Promotion. Keerthana becomes the first woman in Tamil Nadu’s history to hold this important economic portfolio. Her selection underscores TVK’s emphasis on youth and women’s representation in governance.
Keerthana, a debutante legislator and the first woman to win the Sivakasi seat in Virudhunagar district, holds degrees in Mathematics and Statistics. She previously worked as a digital strategist and political consultant. Known for being multilingual in Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu, her appointment has been welcomed as a progressive step, though some observers have raised questions about her relatively limited experience in handling large-scale industrial and investment matters.
Veteran leader K.A. Sengottaiyan, who joined TVK after a long stint with the AIADMK, has been entrusted with the Finance and Pensions portfolio, bringing much-needed administrative experience to the economic team.
The compact 10-member cabinet, including the Chief Minister, signals Vijay’s intent to run a lean and efficient government. Since taking charge, the new regime has already announced initiatives such as providing 200 units of free power and strengthening measures for women’s safety and drug control.
Political analysts view the portfolio distribution as a balanced approach — combining fresh faces like Keerthana with seasoned leaders like Sengottaiyan — as TVK embarks on the challenging task of governing the state.
This development is being closely watched as it represents a generational shift in Tamil Nadu politics. Further details on the complete list of ministers and their portfolios are expected to be released soon.
About The Author
