Decision on joining TVK-led Tamil Nadu Cabinet soon: VCK chief Thirumavalavan

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) founder and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan, on Wednesday (May 20, 2026), said he would take a decision on joining Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s Cabinet soon, after holding discussions with the party’s high-level committee.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai after TVK leader and Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna gave an open invitation to the VCK to join the Cabinet, Mr. Thirumavalavan said, “We took a decision to extend unconditional support to the TVK. Now, Aadhav Arjuna has extended an invitation to the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League to join the Cabinet, and that it is not just his opinion, but also the Chief Minister’s wish. I will discuss this with frontline leaders and take a call on the way forward.”

When asked about CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam’s statement that the party would reconsider its support to the government if AIADMK MLAs, particularly the breakaway faction led by C.Ve. Shanmugham and S.P. Velumani, join the Cabinet, Mr. Thirumavalavan said, “The TVK has assured us that there are no plans to accommodate the breakaway AIADMK faction in the Cabinet.”

A senior VCK leader said the party’s senior leaders want Mr. Thirumavalavan to become the first Cabinet minister of the party, which he has built and nurtured since 1990. “We all want him to become a Minister. We heard that the TVK is also ready to make him No. 3 in the Ministry after TVK leader C. Joseph Vijay and “Bussy” N. Anand. They have also said that the party can pick its Ministry. After giving support to the State government, it makes no sense to stay out of the Cabinet,” the senior leader said.

However, party sources said Mr. Thirumavalavan remains reluctant on joining the State government and becoming a Minister, which would result in the party fighting a byelection in the Chidambaram parliamentary constituency.

A senior VCK leader said the party’s unconditional support to the government was aimed at ensuring that Governor’s rule is not imposed. “If the AIADMK faction is inducted into the Cabinet, it could pave the way for the BJP to meddle with governance,” he said, adding, “The VCK expects the Chidambaram parliamentary seat and also the Tiruchi East seat to be allotted to it.”