Vijay’s maiden Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam cabinet features two medical professionals as ministers
In a significant political development in Tamil Nadu, two medical professionals-turned-politicians — Dr KG Arunraj and Dr K T Prabhu — have been inducted into the first-ever cabinet of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by party founder and Chief Minister Joseph Vijay.
The newly formed ministry took oath on Sunday along with nine ministers, marking TVK’s official rise to power in Tamil Nadu politics after the 2026 Assembly elections.
Dr KG Arunraj: From MBBS Doctor to IRS Officer and Now Minister
Kottaipalayam Ganesan Arunraj, popularly known as Dr K.G. Arunraj, has emerged as one of the prominent faces in Vijay’s cabinet after an illustrious career across medicine, civil services, and politics.
The 46-year-old completed his MBBS from Madras Medical College and initially worked as a government medical officer at a primary health centre in Krishnagiri district.
After serving in the healthcare sector, Arunraj joined the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), but later resigned from the prestigious position to enter active politics through TVK. Within the party, he served as the general secretary for policy and propaganda before contesting the elections.
Arunraj won the Tiruchengode Assembly constituency in Namakkal district with 79,500 votes, defeating AIADMK candidate SRMT Sekar by a margin of 28,172 votes.
Dr K T Prabhu Becomes First Minister From Karaikudi Constituency
Another major inclusion in the cabinet is Dr K. T. Prabhu, a dentist-turned-politician from Sivaganga district, who has scripted history by becoming the first-ever minister from the Karaikudi Assembly constituency since its formation.
Prabhu holds a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from Chennai, an MDS degree from East Philippines, and an MSc degree from Germany. He has also completed multiple international fellowships in the field of dentistry and healthcare.
He joined TVK in 2024 and soon became actively involved in the party’s public outreach activities, particularly by organising medical camps during political conferences and public events.
In the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Prabhu contested from Karaikudi and secured a decisive victory over the Congress candidate by a margin of 46,074 votes.
Doctors in Politics Gain Spotlight in Tamil Nadu
The induction of two healthcare professionals into the Tamil Nadu cabinet highlights TVK’s attempt to project a blend of professional expertise and political leadership in governance.
Both Dr Arunraj and Dr Prabhu are expected to play influential roles in the new administration as Chief Minister Vijay begins his first term in office.
