TN Governor reallocates portfolios held by arrested minister Senthil Balaji, opposes his continuing in cabinet

However, he said that on the basis of the chief minister’s recommendation, the portfolios of electricity and non-conventional energy development held by Balaji will be allocated to Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu. Similarly, Housing and Urban Development Minister S Muthusamy will get the additional portfolio of prohibition and excise.

Governor RN Ravi accepts recommendation of CM MK Stalin to reallocate the portfolios held by #SenthilBalaji, however, he has not agreed Balaji continuing as Member of the Council of Ministers as he is facing criminal proceedings & is currently in judicial custody.@IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/ajdKLJSibD

— Janardhan Koushik (@koushiktweets) June 16, 2023

Ravi had earlier returned Stalin’s recommendation to reallocate the portfolios, saying the reason cited by the chief minister was “misleading and incorrect”. This drew a strong rebuttal from the government, with Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy saying the governor was acting like a “BJP agent”. He also said the governor’s actions were “against the Constitution” and the principle of autonomy for states.

In reply to the governor’s letter asking him to remove Balaji from the cabinet, Stalin had written that only the chief minister, who is elected by the people, has the right to make recommendations for the appointment or removal of ministers as per the Constitution’s Article 164 (1), according to Ponmudy.

The DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, meanwhile, protested in Coimbatore against the BJP’s “anti-democratic and anti-people” politics. Leaders of the Dravidar Kazhagam, Congress, MDMK, VCK, Left parties, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, Kongu Nadu Makkal Desiya Katchi, Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi condemned the BJP and the governor for “intervening in the administration of a state government”.