Meet S Keerthana: The Only Woman Minister In CM Vijay’s Tamil Nadu Cabinet
Selvi S Keerthana has emerged as one of the most talked-about faces in Tamil Nadu politics after becoming the only woman minister in Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s newly formed cabinet.
The 29-year-old leader took oath as a minister on Sunday at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium alongside other ministers from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government.
Her appointment has drawn massive attention not only because she is the youngest member of the cabinet, but also because she created history in Sivakasi.
Keerthana won the Sivakasi Assembly constituency by a margin of 11,697 votes in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
She became the first woman MLA from Sivakasi, ending nearly seven decades of male dominance in the constituency often referred to as the “Fireworks Capital of India.”
A postgraduate and fluent speaker of multiple languages, Keerthana has especially gained attention for her strong command of Hindi.
In Tamil Nadu, where language politics has always remained a sensitive issue, her ability to confidently speak Hindi during political interactions and public appearances has made her stand out among young leaders in the state.
Soon after taking oath, Keerthana expressed gratitude for the opportunity given by the new government. Speaking about the cabinet led by Vijay, she said the administration would set an example in governance and prove its capabilities to the world.
“It’s unbelievable because no other state would even have such a kind of Cabinet Minister. Nobody would give us such a chance. We are going to show the world how well we can run the government,” she said.
Her rise is also being viewed as a major moment for women representation in Tamil Nadu politics.
Vijay, who took oath as Tamil Nadu’s 13th Chief Minister on Sunday, described his government as the beginning of “a new era of social justice.”
His cabinet includes several first-time ministers and young faces, with Keerthana quickly becoming one of the breakout names from the swearing-in ceremony.
