The new political landscape in Tamil Nadu saw several new faces joining the cabinet after the 2026 Assembly elections. One of them is KG Arunraj, a former civil servant who has been appointed as a minister in the government led by Chief Minister Vijay.
Arunraj, who earlier served in the Income Tax Department across multiple states, entered active politics after taking voluntary retirement.
He later joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and was appointed as the party’s general secretary for propaganda and policy before becoming a minister.
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Who is KG Arunraj
KG Arunraj is a doctor-turned-civil servant who worked in the Income Tax Department in Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Maharashtra.
After resigning from government service, he entered politics and became part of the leadership structure of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
He also contested the 2026 Assembly elections from the Tiruchengodu constituency and won by a margin of 28,712 votes, marking his first major electoral victory.
What role will he play in the new government
KG Arunraj has been sworn in as a minister in the newly formed cabinet of Tamil Nadu along with nine other MLAs from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). His appointment is part of the new government structure formed after the party’s election victory.
Along with him, leaders like N Anand, Aadhav Arjuna, KA Sengottaiyan, P Venkataramanan, R Nirmalkumar, Rajmohan, TK Prabhu and S Keerthana also took oath as ministers.
How was the TVK government formed
According to a Hindustan Times report, the 2026 Assembly elections marked a major shift in Tamil Nadu politics, with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) winning 108 out of 234 seats in its first election.
However, the party fell short of the majority mark and later secured support from the Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League. After several meetings with the Governor, Vijay was invited to form the government and was sworn in as chief minister.
What makes this government significant
The formation of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government marked the end of a long dominance of Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu and also brought several new political entrants, including former bureaucrats like KG Arunraj, into key ministerial positions.
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How political drama unfolded
Actor-turned-politician Vijay, popularly known as ‘Thalapathy’, was sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday after a historic debut electoral victory for his party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
The oath of office was administered by Governor RN Ravi at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, and the event was attended by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Vijay’s parents, actor Trisha Krishnan, and other prominent figures.
Although TVK fell short of a majority on its own, it secured support from allies including the Indian National Congress (5), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (2), Communist Party of India (2), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (2) and Indian Union Muslim League (2), all of whom were earlier part of the DMK-led alliance.
Initially, uncertainty over support from VCK and IUML kept TVK below the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member Assembly, but after they extended full backing, Vijay met the Governor again and was formally invited to form the government.
