Chennai, May 20 : The C. Joseph Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government is preparing for its first Cabinet expansion on Thursday, with the exercise emerging as a crucial political balancing act aimed at addressing alliance expectations, regional representation, and internal party dynamics.

Sources indicated that the final round of consultations on the ministerial list is nearing completion ahead of a likely swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Thursday morning.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who is currently holding additional charge, is expected to arrive in Chennai on Wednesday evening to oversee the formalities related to the expansion.

According to sources within the ruling establishment, the government is likely to accommodate alliance partner Congress in the expanded Cabinet.

Two Congress legislators have emerged as leading contenders for ministerial positions.

Despite speculation surrounding possible Cabinet berths for members of the AIADMK faction led by C.Ve. Shanmugam and S.P. Velumani, sources indicated that the ruling leadership has stepped back from such a move following strong opposition from alliance partners, including Congress, Left parties and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).

A senior minister, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there had never been any formal discussion regarding the induction of AIADMK legislators into the Cabinet and clarified that their support during the Assembly confidence vote was merely political support extended on the floor of the House.

Sources close to the government also revealed that legal advisers and alliance partners had warned against taking politically sensitive decisions that could potentially create instability at the beginning of the governmentâ??s tenure.

Meanwhile, intense lobbying has reportedly begun within the TVK, with several first-time MLAs and influential party functionaries pushing for representation in the Cabinet.

The expansion is also expected to address the absence of ministers in more than 20 key government departments, including Higher Education, Revenue, Transport and Social Welfare.

Several other portfolios, such as Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Tourism, Information Technology, Labour Welfare, Fisheries and Environment continue to remain without formally appointed ministers.

Secretariat sources said some departments are currently functioning under informal supervision by existing ministers, with officials already reviewing files and holding discussions pending formal portfolio allocations.

/IANS