State IT Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan is tipped to get a plum portfolio, mostly Finance, which he held in the first two years of the current government.
Published Aug 22, 2024 | 11:25 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 22, 2024 | 11:49 AM
Palanivel Thiaga Rajan.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is likely to reshuffle the state Cabinet on Thursday, 22 August, evening, ahead of embarking on a foreign trip.
State IT Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan is tipped to get a plum portfolio, mostly Finance, which he held in the first two years of the current government.
An audio tape, purportedly of PTR — as Thiaga Rajan is popularly known — blaming Udhayanidhi Stalin, the discrepancy in the salaries of government employees, implementation of the old pension scheme, and a delay in releasing funds had made him fall out of favour with the DMK top brass. It eventually led to Stalin stripping him of the Finance portfolio.
While attending the Information Technology Summit held at Nandambakkam, Chennai, in February, Stalin said PTR was shifted because the IT sector needed many changes.
The Cabinet reshuffle may also see one senior minister and two others losing their portfolios. Stalin is likely to induct three new faces into the Cabinet. The portfolios of ministers, too, are likely to change. Additionally, Udhayanidhi Stalin may get more responsibilities in the Cabinet. Rumours are rife that he may be elevated to the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
Stalin is set to leave for the US on 27 August. The visit is touted as an official tour to attract more foreign investment to Tamil Nadu. DMK sources, however, suggest that the tour may also include medical interventions for MK Stalin who has been battling health concerns.
(Edited by Majnu Babu)
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