Tamil Nadu BJP leader and former Governor of Telangana, Tamilisai Soundararajan, has criticized Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for appointing his son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, as the Deputy Chief Minister. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, she questioned whether the state is being governed as a democracy or a “dynastic monarchy.”
Soundararajan demanded an explanation from Stalin regarding the recent cabinet reshuffle, particularly the removal of senior leader K. Ponmudi from the high-profile Higher Education ministry to the lesser Forest department. She expressed concern over the implications of such a move, emphasizing that it raises questions about the DMK’s commitment to democratic principles.
Additionally, she highlighted the swift re-induction of Senthil Balaji into the cabinet immediately after he was granted bail by the Supreme Court, accusing the ruling DMK of disregarding issues of corruption and promoting nepotism over accountability.
“The DMK is setting a wrong precedent by elevating the Chief Minister’s son and re-inducting Senthil Balaji,” she remarked, further criticizing the party for not including any new female ministers in the reshuffle. Despite advocating for women’s empowerment, Soundararajan argued that the DMK is failing to practice what it preaches.
On Saturday night, the Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan announced Udhayanidhi Stalin’s elevation to Deputy Chief Minister, along with the swearing-in of four new ministers. The reshuffle involved the removal of Tourism Minister K. Ramachandran, Dairy Minister Mano Thangaraj, and Minority Affairs Minister Gingee K. Masthan. The new appointees include R. Rajendran for Tourism, S.M. Nasser for Minority Affairs, and Senthil Balaji for Electricity. Dalit leader Govi Chezhiyan is set to take over as the new Higher Education Minister, succeeding Ponmudi.