Mano Thangaraj re-inducted into Cabinet as Milk and Dairy Development Minister
DMK's Padmanabhapuram MLA T. Mano Thangaraj was sworn in as a State Minister and re-inducted into Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's Cabinet by Governor R.N. Ravi, who administered the oath of office at Raj Bhavan on Monday.
Mr. Thangaraj will take over as Minister of Milk and Dairy Development, which was earlier held by R.S. Rajakannappan, who now holds the Forest and Khadi portfolio, earlier held by K. Ponmudy.
Mr. Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Water Resources Minister R. Duraimurugan, Minister for Municipal Administration K.N. Nehru, Minister for Rural Development I. Periyasamy, Minister for Public Works E.V. Velu, Congress' Assembly Floor Leader S. Rajesh Kumar, and Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam were present.
The swearing-in was also significant for the fact that Mr. Stalin and Mr. Ravi were meeting each other for the first time since the Supreme Court verdict, which held that the latter's decision to withhold assent for 10 Bills was 'unconstitutional', prompting the DMK to claim a major victory against the Governor.
Both leaders exchanged pleasantries.
Reason for reshuffle
The Chief Minister reshuffled his Cabinet after Mr. Ponmudy and State Minister for Electricity, Prohibition and Excise V. Senthilbalaji resigned on Sunday.
While the Madras High Court had held that Mr. Ponmudy had made derogatory remarks regarding Saivism and Vaishnavism, the Supreme Court had made it clear that Mr. Senthibalaji had to choose between Minister's post and his freedom.
Mr. Thangaraj previously held the Information Technology portfolio, which is now being held by Mr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan.
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