The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has nominated A.M. Shahjahan, elected from the Papanasam constituency, to be inducted into the Cabinet headed by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. The induction will take place later. 

National president of the party K.M. Kader Mohideen said there was a suggestion within the high-level committee that the party should seek two berths in the Ministry since it has two MLAs.

“I was authorised to take a decision. I selected Mr. Shahjahan to represent the party in the Cabinet. We will also ask for one more berth subsequently,” he said. The party also has another MLA elected from Vaniyambadi.

Mr. Kader Mohideen said even though his party had extended unconditional support, the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) government came forward to offer a ministerial berth.

“We did not expect it. The Political Advisory Committee approved the proposal yesterday (Wednesday). Today (Thursday), we have decided to participate in the government. We hope the government will provide good governance and continue the welfare schemes of the previous government,” he explained.

‘No discussion on alliance’

He said Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M.K. Stalin had called him and congratulated the IUML on its decision to join the government. The party’s decision signals the end of its longstanding alliance with the DMK.

Asked whether the IUML was still part of the DMK alliance or had switched over to the TVK alliance, he said there had been no discussion on alliances. “Now we are joining the government and it has nothing to do with the alliance formed during the election,” he said, adding it was the duty of his party to defend the government.

He reiterated the party had not demanded any portfolio, as the IUML had offered unconditional support to the TVK government.