VCK and IUML join Tamil Nadu cabinet — Social Justice ministry created for first time; Vanni Arasu and Shahjahan take oath

The latest reshuffle saw MLAs from alliance partners VCK and IUML inducted as ministers, marking a continued broadening of the government's power base. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to the newly appointed ministers in the presence of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

In a significant first, the government created a dedicated Social Justice portfolio, with Vanni Arasu, MLA from Tindivanam, becoming Tamil Nadu's inaugural Minister for Social Justice. He has also been entrusted with the Adi Dravidar Welfare and Hill Tribes department, signalling a focused push on social equity and welfare administration.

A.M. Shahjahan of Papanasam, representing the IUML, was inducted as Minister for Minorities Welfare and given charge of the Minorities Welfare and Wakf Board.

The expansion reflects the coalition's strategy of accommodating key alliance partners while strengthening administrative representation across social and minority welfare portfolios.