Sengottaiyan hints at gradual TN Cabinet expansion, avoids AIADMK seat speculation
Coimbatore, May 17 (IANS) Senior Tamil Nadu Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan on Sunday indicated that the Vijay-led government may gradually expand its Cabinet in the coming months, drawing parallels with the approach adopted during former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa’s tenure.
Speaking to reporters at the Coimbatore airport, Sengottaiyan said the structure of the present Ministry could evolve over time and suggested that the Chief Minister Vijay would ultimately decide the pace and extent of any future Cabinet expansion.
“Whatever Chief Minister Vijay thinks should be implemented, it is our responsibility to ensure that it happens,” he noted, while responding to questions regarding the future composition of the state Cabinet.
Recalling Jayalalithaa’s earlier administrative approach, Sengottaiyan said her government had initially begun with a smaller team of Ministers before expanding it in phases.
“When Jayalalithaa formed her Cabinet, she first appointed seven Ministers and later gradually expanded it. Similarly, the Tamil Nadu Cabinet under the present government may also be expanded step by step,” he added.
Sengottaiyan stressed that such decisions ultimately rest with the Chief Minister and require careful consideration from the leadership level.
“Handling Cabinet expansion and making such decisions is the responsibility of the Chief Minister. The final call has to be taken by him,” he added.
The remarks come at a time when political discussions are intensifying over the future structure of the Vijay-led administration and the possibility of accommodating additional allies and leaders in the Ministry.
Sengottaiyan also fielded questions on speculation surrounding the AIADMK’s role in the Tamil Nadu government and reports suggesting that the party could be allotted Ministerial positions in a possible future Cabinet reshuffle.
When reporters directly asked him how many seats could be given to AIADMK in the Ministry, Sengottaiyan declined to engage with the speculation and said no such discussions had been held so far.
“You are the ones saying that. We have not said anything about it,” he remarked with a smile, refusing to elaborate further.
His comments are likely to fuel further debate over alliance dynamics and possible political realignments in Tamil Nadu in the coming months.
–IANS
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