Chennai, September 29: In a major reshuffle in the Tamil Nadu government, DMK leader V. Senthil Balaji, along with three other DMK MLAs, was sworn in as a minister on Sunday.
The ceremony occurred at Raj Bhavan in the presence of Chief Minister MK Stalin, with Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi administering the oaths.
Senthil Balaji, who had recently been released on bail by the Supreme Court in connection with a money laundering case linked to the 'Cash for Jobs' scam, has been assigned the portfolios of Electricity and Non-Conventional Energy Development, as well as Prohibition & Excise. Joining him in the reshuffle, Govi Chezhiaan will take charge of Higher Education, R. Rajendran will serve as the Minister for Tourism, and SM Nasar will oversee Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare.
The reshuffle comes a day after Udhayanidhi Stalin, who previously served as the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, was elevated to the position of Deputy Chief Minister. He now also holds the Planning and Development portfolio.
His promotion has sparked criticism from Tamil Nadu BJP president Narayanan Thirupathy, who voiced opposition to the reshuffle and Udhayanidhi’s new role in the government.
