Tamil Nadu: CM Stalin Set To Rejig Cabinet, Speculation Rife Over PTR's Ouster Or Possible Shunting Out To Minor Portfolio

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is all set to effect a major reshuffle of his cabinet ahead of his upcoming foreign jaunts, multiple news outlets and local TV channels reported.

The rejig is viewed as an attempt by CM Stalin to salvage the image of his government which has been battered by a series of missteps in governance, intemperate outbursts by key ministerial colleagues, allegations of serious corruption and lacklustre performance of key departments.

Stalin is reportedly planning to axe at least three ministers, including Milk and Dairy Development Minister Avadi Nasar and Adi Dravidian Welfare Minister Kayalvizhi Selvaraj, from the cabinet due to poor performance.

In January this year, Nasar, who is the party legislator from the Avadi constituency near Chennai, courted controversy after a viral video of him picking up a stone from the ground and throwing it at Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) workers went viral on social media.

A few months back, Nasar was caught peddling wrong information that the central government had started levying Goods and Services Tax (GST) on milk. He had said that while trying to justify the steep hike in the price of the state-owned Aavin milk packets.

Adi Dravidar Welfare minister Kayalvizhi's ouster from the cabinet is also on the cards. She could be replaced either by Sankarankoil MLA E Raja or Manamadurai MLA A Tamilarasi.

Chief government whip ‘Govi’ Chezhian, elected from Thiruvidaimaruthur, is also said to be in the race to get a cabinet berth.

Speculations are also rife that Dr Ezhilan, the son of former Deputy Chief of the State Planning Commission M Naganathan, and the party legislator from Thousand Lights constituency, will be inducted as a minister and allocated the Health and Family welfare portfolio. Incumbent Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, who has faced criticism for underwhelming performance, is set to be shifted as Municipal Administration Minister. 

CM Stalin is reportedly undecided on either dropping or allocating a new portfolio for state Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (PTR). PTR is said to have incurred the wrath of CM Stalin after a leaked audio clip of the minister allegedly discussing the corruption of the DMK first family went viral.

In case CM Stalin decides to retain PTR to avoid reigniting the controversy, he may be shifted to the Information Technology portfolio with Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu replacing him as the Finance Minister.