Tamil Nadu: Post Ponmudi's Conviction, Rajakannappan Becomes Higher Education Minister; Was Earlier Accused Of Casteist Slurs

Following the conviction of Tamil Nadu's Minister of Education Ponmudi in the Disproportionate Assets (DA) case by the Madras High Court, Rajakannappan has been assigned an additional portfolio of Higher Education as reported by digital news portal MSN.

Ponmudi has been sentenced to three years of imprisonment along with his wife in the DA case.

Minister Rajakannappan, who already oversees backward classes welfare, most backward classes welfare, denotified communities welfare, and khadi & village industries board portfolios, will now also handle higher education, including technical education, electronics, science, and technology.

In a statement from Raj Bhavan, it was mentioned, "Hon'ble Governor approved the recommendation of the Hon'ble Chief Minister that the portfolios of Higher Education, including Technical Education, Electronics, Science and Technology previously dealt with by Thiru K. Ponmudi, be allotted to Thiru R.S. Rajakannappan."

Additionally, Minister Rajakannappan has been relieved of the Khadi & Village Industries Board portfolios, which will now be managed by Minister R Gandhi, the Minister for Handlooms and Textiles, in addition to his existing responsibilities.

Rajakannappan was earlier stripped of the transport portfolio. Chief Minister Stalin took this action following a complaint from a Block Development Officer (BDO) who accused the Minister of using casteist slurs against him.