Major Cabinet Reshuffle in Tamil Nadu: Mano Thangaraj Sworn In, Senior Ministers Resign Amid Controversy

By,

Miyuru Rasoj- Colombo

Photo Credit- The Economic Times

In a significant political development, the Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has undergone a major cabinet reshuffle, marked by the induction of Mano Thangaraj as minister and the resignation of two senior ministers, V. Senthil Balaji and Dr. K. Ponmudy, amid mounting legal and political pressures.

Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath of office to Mano Thangaraj on Monday, following the Chief Minister’s recommendation.

Thangaraj’s return to the cabinet comes at a crucial time as the ruling DMK seeks to consolidate its position ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.

The reshuffle was triggered by the resignations of Senthil Balaji, who held the Electricity, Prohibition, and Excise portfolios, and K. Ponmudy, Minister for Forests and Khadi.

Balaji stepped down after the Supreme Court directed him to choose between retaining his cabinet post and safeguarding his bail in an ongoing money laundering case.

Ponmudy resigned following widespread criticism and legal action over his controversial remarks about religious symbols and women, which had escalated into a political issue for the Stalin administration.

In the interim arrangement, Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar has been assigned additional charge of the Electricity Department, while Housing and Urban Development Minister S. Muthusamy has taken over Prohibition and Excise. R.S. Rajakannappan, who previously managed the Milk and Dairy portfolio, has been given additional responsibility for Forests and Khadi.

Political analysts note that the reshuffle is not only a response to immediate controversies but also a strategic move by the DMK to project stability and reinforce its electoral arithmetic in key regions of the state.

Mano Thangaraj’s induction is seen as an effort to strengthen the party’s presence in southern Tamil Nadu, a region considered crucial in the upcoming polls.

The swift changes underscore the DMK government’s commitment to maintaining public trust and administrative continuity as it navigates legal challenges and prepares for the next electoral battle.

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