Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is reportedly planning a mini-reshuffle of his cabinet in the next two weeks, amid a recent row over audio clips allegedly featuring his Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (PTR) making statements against the Chief Minister’s family. While some sources say that at least two ministers who have not performed well could be asked to resign, others speculate whether the state Finance Minister PTR would survive the shake-up.
The cabinet overhaul comes as the Chief Minister is scheduled to go abroad later this month. Some DMK leaders have indicated that DMK MLA TRB Rajaa, who represents the Mannargudi constituency and is a three-time MLA and son of DMK MP and former Union Minister TR Baalu, may be inducted. Another name in the running is that of E Raja, Sankarankovil MLA.
Currently, the state cabinet has 53 ministers, touching the 15% ceiling of the total number of MLAs in the state. Any new induction would mean asking some ministers to leave.
Last week, the Chief Minister dismissed as “cheap politics” the PTR audio files, in which the Minister is purported to have made some remarks about the assets of the DMK’s first family. In two audio clips, including one released by state BJP chief K Annamalai, PTR is purported to have made remarks about Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi and son-in-law V Sabareesan, which the finance minister has categorically denied. The Minister had denied the allegations and insisted that the clips were digitally altered using advanced technology.
The timing of the cabinet reshuffle, so soon after the PTR controversy, has led to speculation that the finance minister could be removed from his post. However, the Chief Minister has not made any official statement on the matter. With Stalin’s overseas trip coming up, it remains to be seen who will be inducted into the cabinet and whether the finance minister will retain his position.
