Stalin likely to rejig Cabinet soon, PTR may retain perch

The ministry rejig is taking place days after purported audio clips were released by Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai allegedly featuring Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan or PTR discussing corruption within the DMK first family. PTR had rejected these clips as fake and malicious.

The Income Tax personnel had also recently raided G-Square, a real estate company with alleged links to the Stalin family.

A senior DMK leader said by restructuring his Cabinet Stalin would be sending out a clear message that “nobody should think that they will be ministers forever”.

However, contrary to speculations, the embattled PTR is unlikely to face the axe even though his portfolio will be downgraded, sources said. “Stalin may thus give him (PTR) a chance,” the party insider explained, indicating a possible portfolio change for PTR instead of ouster from the Cabinet.

PTR may be allocated the HR&CE (Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment) department, the DMK leader said, noting that the former’s family is known for their long-standing contributions to temples across South India.

Health Minister Ma Subramanian, popularly known as “MaSu”, a close ally of Stalin, could be one of those affected by the ministry shake-up. Despite his notable stint as the Chennai City Corporation Mayor a decade ago, Subramanian’s performance in handling the health portfolio is said to have “fallen short of the DMK leadership’s expectations”. Multiple sources said there would be a change in his portfolio although he would not be dropped from the Stalin Cabinet altogether.

Some “laggards” in the Cabinet, including Milk and Dairy Development Minister S M Nasar and Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Minister N Kayalvizhi Selvaraj may also be shown the door.

In contrast, Anbil Mahesh, known for his close ties with the Stalin family, is likely to survive the reshuffle exercise despite “feedback about his mediocre performance”. Similarly, senior ministers like K N Nehru, Duraimurugan, and K Ponmudy are predicted to retain their portfolios despite receiving mixed performance reviews.

As regards PTR’s possible successor as the Finance Minister, Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu and Housing Minister S Muthusamy are the two leading contenders for it. However, Thennarasu, rated as one of the best-performing ministers, is said to be “hesitant” about taking up the crucial finance portfolio. This leaves Muthusamy, who has a clean image and vast administrative experience dating back to the MGR era, as Stalin’s likely pick as the next Finance Minister.

DMK sources claimed that there was “no shortage of high-performing ministers”, singling out Thennarasu, Power Minister Senthil Balaji and HR&CE Minister Sekar Babu in this regard.

Balaji has been commended by the ruling party dispensation for his management of the state power sector even as there are mixed views about his handling of TASMAC, the state-owned liquor company.

“Balaji managed two summers without load shedding despite the addition of two lakh free connections. Babu, on the other hand, has been lauded for his significant contributions in retrieving thousands of acres of temple lands after the DMK came to power,” DMK sources said.

TRB Raja, a three-time MLA, is likely to be the new face in the rejigged Cabinet.