Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Okay Stalin has rejigged within the state cupboard with the resignations of V. Senthil Balaji, Minister for Electrical energy, Prohibition and Excise, and Okay Ponmudy, Minister for Forests and Khadi. Governor R N Ravi has accepted the resignations.

In accordance with Raj Bhavan, SS Sivasankar has been moreover assigned the Electrical energy portfolio, whereas S Muthusamy will deal with Prohibition and Excise. RS Rajakannappan will now oversee Forests and Khadi, being appointed because the Minister for Forests and Khadi. Moreover, Chief Minister Stalin has really helpful the induction of T Mano Thangaraj, MLA from Padmanabhapuram Meeting Constituency, into the Cupboard. The swearing-in ceremony for the brand new minister-designate is scheduled for Monday, April 28, at Raj Bhavan, Chennai.

The reshuffle follows a Supreme Court docket directive that requested Senthil Balaji to decide on between his ministerial publish and persevering with on bail. Balaji, who was launched on bail by the apex courtroom in a case filed beneath the Prevention of Cash Laundering Act (PMLA) by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on September 26, 2024, after spending 15 months in jail, was re-inducted into the Cupboard three days later and allotted the Electrical energy and Excise portfolios he had held previous to his incarceration.

Okay Ponmudy’s resignation comes amid a significant controversy triggered by his remarks at an occasion on April 6, the place he in contrast Hindu Shaivite and Vaishnavite spiritual symbols to sexual positions. Following the backlash, he was instantly sacked because the deputy common secretary of the DMK, though he continued to stay a Cupboard minister till now.