‘DMK has made a mistake’: Social media erupts in support of PTR following Cabinet reshuffle

Till Thursday morning, many held on to the hope that Stalin would not change PTR's portfolio, following the leak of his purported audio tapes. 

ByVinodh Arulappan

Published May 11, 2023 | 10:18 PMUpdatedMay 11, 2023 | 10:18 PM

Palanivel Thiaga Rajan is now the Minister for Information Technology & Digital Services, Tamil Nadu. (Supplied)

Following the announcement that Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, popularly referred to as PTR, no longer holds the finance portfolio in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet, tweets and posts in his favour flooded social media.

Till Thursday morning, many held on to the hope that DMK supremo and Chief Minister MK Stalin would not change PTR’s portfolio, supposedly a consequence of the leak of his purported audio tapes making adverse comments on the party’s first family.

Even a screenshot of PTR’s Facebook bio was shared on social media, claiming that the minister had updated it to “Minister of Finance”.

A leading regional news channel, close to the DMK first family, also tweeted the screenshot, which was removed later from their social media page.

However, at exactly 11:05 am on Thursday, minutes after the swearing-in ceremony, the news of the Cabinet reshuffle emerged from St George Fort — the administrative headquarters of the Tamil Nadu government.

It came as a shock to a few and apparently caused anguish to many.

Following the announcement, social media was flooded with tweets supporting PTR. People from many walks of life, including DMK supporters, openly expressed their views.

Also Read: PTR loses finance portfolio, gets IT in MK Stalin reshuffle exercise

Echoing in support

While many wished him well, many others opined that the DMK had made the wrong move.

Hailing him for the way he countered the right wing activists and the BJP in the past, tweets were posted and shared prominently.

Also Read: Social media wants CM to retain PTR in finance portfolio

Few others tweeted about his honesty and mentioned that it’s a loss to the Finance Department. Further, the hashtag #PTRPalanivelThiagarajan has been trending since Thursday morning.

Also Read: PTR Audio Row: Stalin breaks silence, claims ‘cheap politics’ by BJP

Revival of the state’s finances

When DMK came to power, the state’s finances were hit hard by the Covid pandemic and the alleged financial mismanagement of the previous AIADMK government.

PTR handled it well and was appreciated by the chief minister on several occasions.

Even while tabling the budget for the current fiscal year, PTR declared that the state’s debt-to-GDP ratio had come down to 25.63 percent from 32 percent. “The debt-to-GDP ratio is well within the 29.19 percent limit set by the 16th Finance Commission,” he declared.

Several people tweeted about his accomplishments as part of the Finance Department.

Also Read: ‘Desperate attempt by blackmail gang,’ says PTR