The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) may reconsider its stance not to accept a cabinet berth in the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam-led Tamil Nadu government, party president Thol Thirumavalavan said on Wednesday. The development comes with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's cabinet is expected to fill the vacant seats before Thursday evening.
Chidambaram MP Thol Thirumavalavan confirmed that the TVK has yet again asked his party to join Vijay's cabinet. It was also communicated that the rebel AIADMK faction, which backed the TVK during the floor test, will not be considered for cabinet berths. The VCK had even considered backing out from the post-poll alliance with the TVK if the rebels were offered cabinet positions, local media reports said.
The VCK has maintained so far that its decision to back the TVK "only from the outside"—despite having fought the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 in alliance with the DMK—was to ward off interventions by the BJP’s Union government.
VCK minister in Tamil Nadu?
Thanking Aadhav Arjuna for publicly reiterating the TVK’s desire to include a VCK representative in its government, Thirumavalavan noted that the VCK had held a high-level committee meeting on May 8, during which most senior leaders favoured joining the government, DT Next said in a report. Further discussions will be held with the party’s general secretaries, treasurer, and principal secretary before a final decision is taken, the report added.
It may be noted that Thirumavalavan decided against contesting from the Kattumannarkoil constituency at the last minute after having announced his decision to make a return to state politics. There was speculation that the Chidambaram MP decided to enter the poll fray keeping in mind a possible hung Assembly scenario in Tamil Nadu. However, he decided not to contest later as the question of "power hunger" was thrown at him from many quarters.
“The opinion that I am contesting the election, anticipating a hung Assembly, is wrong. It insults my intention. Hence, I am changing my strategy,” he said.
Kattumannarkoil MLA J. E. Jothimani and Tindivanam representative Vanni Arasu are the two VCK legislators in the current house. It remains to be seen if Thirumavalavan will be declared the party's nominee to become a minister or if either of the sitting MLAs will be given the historic chance.