India, May 21 -- The Congress party is set to join the Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government on Thursday, marking the first time it will be part of an alliance in the southern state in 59 years.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge approved the induction of MLAs Rajesh Kumar and P Viswanathan to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government and will take oath as ministers on Thursday, KC Venugopal, the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary said on social media on Wednesday.

"This is a historic occasion for us, as the Congress joins the Tamil Nadu cabinet after a long gap of 59 years," Venugopal said.

The Congress is also negotiating with chief minister Vijay for a Rajya Sabha berth from Tamil Nadu wit...