Tamil Nadu Cabinet Reshuffle: Another Out-On-Bail DMK Leader Likely To Be Reinstated As Minister, Stalin Welcomes Senthil Balaji

The expected Cabinet reshuffle of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin is likely to reinstate former minister V Senthil Balaji, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday (26 September).

Similarly, K Ponmudy, who had to resign in December last year due to his conviction in the disproportionate assets case, was also made the minister again in March this year as his conviction was suspended by the SC.

Ponmudy was reinstated as the Higher Education Minister. Similarly, Balaji is also likely to get back his portfolios of electricity, non-conventional energy development, prohibition and excise and molasses.

Balaji has been in jail since June 2023 in connection with alleged cash-for-jobs scam. Delay in trial was cited as the reason to grant him bail by an SC bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih.

The New Indian Express speculated that Stalin was awaiting the release of Senthil Balaji to initiate a reshuffle, about which the Dravida Munetra Kazhagam (DMK) president has been talking for a few weeks.

Two days ago, in response to a question about elevating his son Udhayanidhi Stalin to the position of Deputy CM, Stalin said, "There will be no disappointment. But there will be changes."

The announcement regarding the reshuffle is expected after Stalin's return from New Delhi, where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

Stalin expressed joy over Balaji's release after 471 days in custody and alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has become a tool to suppress political opponents.

Calling Supreme Court the only ray of hope, Stalin added, "Even during the Emergency, no one was jailed for such a long period." He welcomed Balaji and said, "Your sacrifice is great, but your determination is even greater."