Senthil Balaji, Ponmudy resign as TN ministers, Mano Thangaraj makes comeback

Senthil Balaji, Ponmudy resign as TN ministers, Mano Thangaraj makes comeback

Tamil Nadu Ministers V Senthil Balaji and K Ponmudy have stepped down from Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s cabinet, and their resignations have been accepted by the Governor, the Raj Bhavan announced on Sunday.

A statement from the Raj Bhavan said that Governor R N Ravi has accepted the resignations based on the recommendation of Chief Minister MK Stalin.

Senthil Balaji, who is under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate, was told by the Supreme Court on Wednesday to choose "between post and freedom", warning that his bail could be revoked if he did not step down as minister.

Ponmudy faced strong backlash over his Shaivite-Vaishnavite remarks in the context of a sex worker. The Madras High Court later initiated legal action on its own in response to the incident.

Despite being removed from a significant party position, there were calls from opposition parties and other groups for his removal from the cabinet.

Transport Minister S S Sivasankar will now oversee the Electricity portfolio, which was previously held by Senthil Balaji. Meanwhile, Housing Minister S Muthusamy will be responsible for the Excise and Prohibition portfolio, also previously managed by Senthil Balaji.

R S Rajakannappan has been assigned the Forests and Khadi portfolios, in addition to his current role in Milk and Dairy Development, according to the release.

Additionally, the Governor has approved Chief Minister Stalin's recommendation to include Padmanabhapuram MLA T Mano Thangaraj in the cabinet, after he was previously excluded in an earlier cabinet reshuffle.

The swearing-in of the newly designated minister will take place at 6 PM on Monday, the release added.