Tamil Nadu Cabinet reshuffle: Rajan replaced by Thennarasu as finance minister; new roles for other key figures

T Mano Thangaraj, formerly in charge of IT and Digital Services, will now be the minister for Milk and Dairy Development, a department that was held by S M Nasar. Nasar was, however, dropped from the cabinet by CM Stalin on Wednesday. M P Saminathan, the Minister for Information and Publicity, will now additionally oversee the Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture department.

Soon after the government decision, Rajan wrote a long post on Twitter where he thanked CM Stalin for providing him with the finance department portfolio for two years and he is excited about the new role to serve the people.

The past two years have been the most fulfilling in my life. Under the leadership of CM @mkstalin, I presented one revised budget (’21 – ’22) during the pandemic, and two annual budgets (’22 – ’23, ’23 – ’24) post-pandemic. Despite inheriting record deficits and debt ratios, we…

— Dr P Thiaga Rajan (PTR) (@ptrmadurai) May 11, 2023

A statement issued by Rajan said, “the past two years have been the most fulfilling” in his life. “I presented one revised budget (’21 – ’22) during the pandemic, and two annual budgets (’22 – ’23, ’23 – ’24) post-pandemic. Despite inheriting record deficits and debt ratios, we have invested in a record number of social welfare schemes as well as record capital spending, all while delivering record-setting fiscal improvements. This is the epitome of my public service, and indeed of my life. While fiscal consolidation and social spending are necessary steps for an equitable society, the drivers of development and growth are investment, enterprise expansion and job-creation,” Rajan said.

He said he was grateful that CM Stalin has now assigned him the portfolio of Information Technology – globally the No. 1 industry, for investment and job creation today.

“We know that technology shapes the future. Though Tamil Nadu was a pioneer in this field in Thalaivar Kalaignar’s time, we have unfortunately lagged our true potential in this sector in the last decade or so. I plan to build on the great efforts of my predecessor,” Rajan said in his statement. He said that he expects to attract more investments, accelerate job-creation, and deliver growth at a pace that will re-establish Tamil Nadu as a leading state in IT.

He said his own experience in establishing and managing a pioneering Global Capability Centre 15 years ago, and the connectivity with the IT & ITES Industry gained during his professional career, will enrich his efforts in this new role.

He also wished Thennarasu, his successor, “great success and many more achievements.”

Rajan’s removal from the finance portfolio was a demand before the DMK leadership from several ministers due to his firm style of running the state finance department. However, what had weakened his ground further was a controversy last month after two audio clips, allegedly featuring his voice, were leaked by a Chennai-based whistle-blower and BJP state unit president K Annamalai. The voice in audio clips, allegedly of Rajan, suggested corruption within CM Stalin’s family. Rajan subsequently issued a statement denouncing the audio as fake and artificially created.