A new govt, but a familiar power equation at Fort St George. Six months into TVK rule, the leadership style of C Joseph Vijay bears striking similarities to that of AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa during her last two tenures. Both largely avoided press conferences and direct responses to criticism, relying instead on trusted ministers to handle political and administrative affairs. But unlike Jayalalithaa’s ‘Aivar Ani (group of five)’, who had little freedom to speak independently, five ministers in Vijay’s cabinet have emerged as the govt’s principal public defenders.Vijay’s ‘Small Council’, to borrow from George R R Martin’s ‘Game of Thrones’, includes C T R Nirmal Kumar, Aadhav Arjuna, A Rajmohan, K G Arunraj and K A Sengottaiyan (the rare lieutenant to find a place in both Jayalalithaa and Vijay’s inner circles). And of course, the ‘Hand of the King’, party general secretary N Anand, who wields considerable influence behind the scenes. So, here it is, a closer look at Vijay’s inner circle.C T R Nirmal Kumar | The Master of LawsNo TVK minister has addressed more press conferences than Nirmal Kumar. When there is a row over lighting karthigai deepam atop Thiruparankundram, he steps in to articulate the govt’s position. If the govt faces backlash over law and order, Nirmal Kumar reels statistics to argue crime is lower under the TVK govt. When residents face eviction from Meghamalai, he visits them and assures support. He never hesitates to hit back at DMK leaders M K Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin nor the party’s late patriarch M Karunanidhi.When the entire senior leadership of TVK stayed out of the public eye after the 2025 Karur stampede, Nirmal Kumar led the party’s legal response. Since then, he has emerged as the party’s legal troubleshooter. As law minister, he also articulates the govt’s stand on major court rulings, including granting jobs to families affected by the Karur stampede.Nirmal Kumar’s most vociferous defence comes when someone questions Vijay’s silence: “There is no compulsion for a CM to meet the press.”Aadhav Arjuna | The Master of CoinFew in Vijay’s cabinet are as combative as TVK general secretary Aadhav Arjuna, whose financial clout and political network make him a key crisis-manager. His past association with DMK as a strategist makes him someone who has a better understanding of the way the principal opposition functions, a source of ammunition for a fledgling party. He occasionally deploys this knowledge against opposition attacks. During the assembly session, his aggressive attacks on DMK helped counter the charges against TVK. It has also helped him command attention within the administration. As a top-rung leader, he has emerged as someone who is approached by younger ministers for advice. Aadhav also defends Vijay’s silence: “When he remains silent, it means he is planning.”A Rajmohan | The King’s HeraldOnce known for compering Vijay’s public events, state school education minister A Rajmohan now fields questions well beyond his cabinet portfolio. His measured responses to tricky questions by the media have earned the CM’s confidence.Six months in office have also given him a reality check. “We entered office eager to do new things. But correcting old mistakes takes time. Unless bureaucratic blocks are cleared, results cannot flow,” he said.On answering questions across portfolios, he said, “We prepare for assembly speeches and debates like schoolchildren do for exams. There is no ego among ministers. I can call HR&CE minister Ramesh about Tiruchendur temple, while Nirmal Kumar can seek school education details from me.” He cites a meeting with Aadhav where decisions on school playgrounds and teacher vacancies were taken on the spot. The coordination extends to Vijay, who, Rajmohan says, remains accessible, sends instructions on ministers’ personal WhatsApp numbers and follows up the next day.K G Arunraj | The Grand MaesterA doctor and former IRS officer with over 15 years of administrative experience, Arunraj has largely stayed away from political skirmishes, focusing on his ministry and constituency work. The soft-spoken minister articulates the govt’s public health policy, its stance on NEET and defends welfare schemes like Thaaimaaman Thanga Mothira Thittam whenever they face criticism.“Just because we don’t know a solution doesn’t mean there isn’t a solution,” he says, describing his biggest lesson from six months in office. Getting officials at every level to embrace Vijay’s vision remains a challenge. Defending govt decisions is difficult too, he acknowledges, but ministers “focus on work more than talk”.Arunraj played a crucial role during the Dharapuram bypoll, suggesting ideas for Vijay’s campaign and strengthening TVK’s grassroots presence. Arunraj described Vijay as a “very tough taskmaster and perfectionist” who scrutinises every proposal, often adding inputs that shape the final outcome.K A Sengottaiyan | Warden of the WestRevenue minister K A Sengottaiyan’s entry into TVK raised expectations of a larger role, given his decades of experience under MGR and Jayalalithaa. Six months on, he has largely confined himself to his portfolio and western districts — Erode, Coimbatore, Tirupur and the Nilgiris — offering responses to statewide controversies. “However, he plays a crucial role in talks to bring former AIADMK functionaries into TVK,” says a TVK MLA from the region.“Sengottaiyan draws on historical precedents to defend Vijay, something his cabinet colleagues cannot. When Karnataka asked Vijay not to visit during the Mekedatu dispute, Sengottaiyan hit back at EPS by recalling how Jayalalithaa had sent ministers for talks with Karnataka before pursuing legal remedies,” says political analyst R Deepak.N Anand | The Hand of the KingHe may be the least vocal among Vijay’s trusted lieutenants, but his words carry considerable weight. Anand rarely offers more than brief replies to journalists, yet party insiders say he oversees nearly 16 first-time ministers who rose through Vijay Makkal Iyakkam and TVK’s district ranks. Their go-to man for bureaucratic hurdles and disputes with local authorities, he also reviews key public welfare and infrastructure proposals, from farmers’ schemes to new bus terminuses, before they are approved. Within TVK, he issues key organisational directives, including restrictions on media appearances.