In a major political shake-up in Tamil Nadu, two controversial ministers, V Senthil Balaji and K Ponmudy, have resigned from the MK Stalin-led cabinet. Their resignations, prompted by court censure and mounting political pressure, were accepted by Governor RN Ravi, according to an official communique from the Raj Bhavan issued on Sunday, April 27.
Supreme Court Ultimatum Forces Senthil Balaji’s Exit
V Senthil Balaji, the Minister for Electricity and Excise, tendered his resignation following a stern warning from the Supreme Court. Last week, the apex court had offered him an ultimatum: either step down from his ministerial post or risk cancellation of his bail in a money laundering and cash-for-jobs scam dating back to the earlier AIADMK regime.
The court highlighted serious findings against Balaji in his capacity as a minister, stressing that while bail had been granted, it did not grant him the right to influence witnesses. Noting Balaji’s previous actions of witness tampering, the bench categorically told him:
"You have to choose between the post and the freedom."
Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in June 2023, had remained a minister without portfolio until he resigned in February 2024. However, after securing bail from the Supreme Court, he was reinducted on September 29, 2024, and reassigned his earlier portfolios — electricity, non-conventional energy development, prohibition, and excise.
Following his resignation, the portfolios Balaji held have been reallocated:
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Electricity: Transport Minister S S Sivasankar will now oversee the department.
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Excise and Prohibition: Housing Minister S Muthusamy will take additional charge. Notably, Muthusamy had been handling these portfolios during Balaji’s imprisonment in 2023.
Ponmudy Steps Down Amid High Court Criticism
Senior DMK leader and Forest Minister K Ponmudy also submitted his resignation after attracting widespread criticism over controversial remarks involving Shaivite and Vaishnavite traditions in the context of a sex worker. His comments provoked outrage across political and social circles, with the Madras High Court initiating suo motu proceedings and directing the police to file an FIR against him.
Despite having already been removed from a key party post within DMK, opposition parties and civil society groups continued to demand Ponmudy’s ouster from the cabinet. His resignation was swiftly accepted by Governor Ravi upon Chief Minister Stalin’s recommendation.
The reshuffling of Ponmudy’s responsibilities is as follows:
Forests and Khadi: R S Rajakannappan, currently serving as the Milk and Dairy Development Minister, will take over. This marks the third portfolio change for Rajakannappan, who had previously transitioned from Transport to Backward Classes and then to Dairy Development.
Mano Thangaraj Makes a Comeback
Padmanabhapuram MLA T Mano Thangaraj has been reinducted into the Tamil Nadu cabinet. Previously the Dairy Development Minister, Mano Thangaraj was dropped during an earlier cabinet reshuffle but has now been brought back without an assigned portfolio.
Interestingly, Mano Thangaraj is the second minister to be reinstated after removal; last year, Minorities Welfare Minister S M Nasar was also reinducted. The swearing-in ceremony for the new ministers is scheduled to take place at 6 PM on Monday, according to Raj Bhavan.
Opposition Parties React
The political opposition wasted no time in reacting to the developments:
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AIADMK: Celebrated Ponmudy's resignation as a victory for their relentless protests. On its official 'X' (formerly Twitter) handle, the party termed Balaji's removal as "justice ensured through the court."
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BJP: State vice-president Narayanan Thirupathy described the resignations as "expected, though late," criticizing Chief Minister MK Stalin for "misrule, corruption, maladministration, and mismanagement."
Political Timing and Implications
The resignations and reshuffle come at a crucial time, with Tamil Nadu scheduled to go to polls within a year. The DMK government, facing scrutiny both from the judiciary and political rivals, is under pressure to project a cleaner image ahead of the elections.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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