DMK Ministers Resign Amidst Legal and Controversy

DMK Cabinet Shakeup: Two Ministers Resign Amidst Legal and Controversy

In a significant development, the DMK government in Tamil Nadu saw two of its controversial cabinet members resign on Sunday. Electricity and Excise Minister V Senthil Balaji and Forest Minister K Ponmudy stepped down after facing pressure from the court and public scrutiny.

Balaji, who was recently given an ultimatum by the Supreme Court to either resign or forfeit his bail in a money laundering case, chose to step down. Ponmudy, on the other hand, resigned following a Madras High Court order that asked police to file an FIR against him for allegedly making disparaging remarks about women and Hindu symbols.

Both ministers submitted their resignation letters to Governor R N Ravi, who accepted them immediately. A statement from Raj Bhavan, the Governor’s office, confirmed that Chief Minister M K Stalin had recommended the acceptance of their resignations.

This cabinet reshuffle comes as Tamil Nadu gears up for elections in a year.

Portfolio Changes and Cabinet Restructure

Following the resignations, Housing Minister S Muthusamy has been given the additional portfolios of excise and prohibition, which were previously handled by Balaji. This is not the first time Muthusamy has overseen these portfolios, as he had been doing so when Balaji was imprisoned earlier this year.

Transport Minister S S Sivasankar will now take charge of the electricity department, while Dairy Development Minister R S Rajakannappan will handle the forest portfolio. This marks Rajakannappan’s third portfolio change, having previously served in the transport, backward classes, and dairy departments.

Another interesting development is the re-induction of former Dairy Development Minister T Manothangaraj into the cabinet, without a specific portfolio. This comes after he was removed from the cabinet last year.

The swearing-in ceremony for the new ministers-designate is scheduled for Monday evening.