India, May 22 -- Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's expanded cabinet is the first-largest in Tamil Nadu in terms of the number of Scheduled Caste ministers. The increase reflects the growing mandate for Vijay's first year in office. The cabinet already contained a record eight SC MLAs and the latest reshuffle is being described as historic. Why is Vijay's cabinet being called historic? From the government's point of view, the addition of 23 new ministers has been a move towards increased social inclusiveness and balanced representation.

Analysts argue it is a major development compared to Tamil Nadu's past cabinets, in particular when it comes to SC representation. The cabinet's recent expansion reflects an attractive combination of caste b...