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Tamil Nadu Minister S Keerthana Unable To Take Oath As MLA Over Missing Certificate

Sivakasi MLA-elect asked to return with Certificate of Election after failing to submit mandatory document in Assembly

TVK leader S Keerthana takes oath as the Tamil Nadu Cabinet Minister during the swearing-in ceremony, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Chennai, Sunday, May 10, 2026. Newly-elected state Chief Minister and TVK chief Vijay and Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi are also seen. (PTI Photo/R Senthilkumar)
PTI

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Summary

  • Tamil Nadu minister S Keerthana could not take oath as MLA after failing to present her Certificate of Election in the Assembly

  • Assembly officials said submission of the certificate was mandatory and all MLAs had been instructed to bring it without fail

  • Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and other MLAs completed the oath process after submitting their election certificates to Assembly officials

Tamil Nadu Minister S Keerthana could not take oath of office as MLA in the State Assembly on Monday as she did not present her Certificate of Election, a prerequisite for taking oath, an official said.

When the Assembly Principal Secretary K Srinivasan invited Keerthana, announcing her name in the microphone, to take oath, she walked to the podium, which was right in front of the chair of the chief minister from one side. Also, MLAs who take oath would face the chair of the pro tem speaker.

While Keerthana neared the podium, Srinivasan raised his hand and asked her the certificate, which could be seen in the live coverage of the Assembly proceedings.

TVK leader S Keerthana takes oath as the Tamil Nadu Cabinet Minister during the swearing-in ceremony, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Chennai, Sunday, May 10, 2026. Newly-elected state Chief Minister and TVK chief Vijay and Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi are also seen. - (PTI Photo/R Senthilkumar)
Who Is S. Keerthana? Tamil Nadu’s Young TVK Minister From Sivakasi

By Outlook News Desk

However, she could not produce the certificate and what she replied to Srinivasan was not known.

Asked what transpired, an official told PTI: "It seems she did not have her certificate of election with her readily. Since she could not submit the certificate, the senior official politely declined to allow her to take oath. She may take oath whenever she submits her certificate of election." The official said that MLAs were told to bring their certificates without fail and the government made this clear even in a press note.

All MLAs, including Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, first submitted their certificates and were then asked by the officials to take the oath as per the Constitution.

Keerthana was the last minister -- ninth as per ranking in the Cabinet-- to be invited to take oath.

She was elected from the Sivakasi assembly constituency and she defeated Ashokan G of the Congress party. She won by a margin of 11,670 votes. Former Minister and AIADMK heavyweight KT Rajenthrabhalaji was pushed to third place.

TN Assembly's current member strength is 233. Vijay won from Perambur and Tiruchi East and he has resigned from the Tiruchi East constituency.

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Tamil Nadu Vijay TVK