Senthil Balaji, 3 others sworn-in as ministers in Stalin cabinet

High-profile DMK leader V Senthil Balaji, who was days ago granted bail by the Supreme Court in a money laundering case, was sworn in as minister by Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi here on Sunday.

Notably, 48-year-old Senthil Balaji has been assigned the same key portfolio of 'electricity, non-conventional energy development, prohibition & excise,' which he held previously in the Stalin cabinet.

Three other DMK legislators, Govi Chezhiaan (Thiruvidaimarudur), R Rajendran (Salem-North) and S M Nasar (Avadi) also took oath of office and secrecy administered by Governor Ravi in a simple ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan.

They were sworn-in in the presence of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi, who had already been designated as Deputy Chief Minister.

Govi Cheziaan has been allotted Higher Education including technical education, electronics, science and technology, which was previously held by K Ponmudy (now Minister for Forests).

Soft-spoken Cheziaan (58), a native of Thanjavur district, is an orator, party office-bearer and chief government whip, before he was appointed minister. A three-time MLA, he was first elected in 2011.

Rajendran (65) has been allotted the Tourism portfolio. Also, known as Salem Rajendran, he is a party worker since his student days and has held various party positions, including in the youth wing. He is a lawyer and a third time MLA.

Sixty-four-year-old Nasar, a well-known party face from Avadi here, has been made the Minister for Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare.

The ED had arrested Senthil Balaji, representing Karur Assembly constituency, on June 14, 2023, in a money laundering case linked to a cash for jobs scam when he was transport minister during the previous AIADMK regime (2011-15).

Balaji, after a stint with TTV Dhinakaran led Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, joined the DMK in 2018 and following his arrest, he was designated minister without portfolio.

On February 13, 2024, Governor accepted Balaji's resignation from the council of ministers. On September 26, the Supreme Court granted bail to Balaji, which ended his 471-day incarceration.

In May 2023, Nasar was dropped from the Cabinet and at that time, he was the Milk and Dairy Development Minister.

K Ramachandran, who was dropped from the Cabinet on September 28, was on Sunday named as chief government whip. Ramachandran was previously the tourism minister.

All the four legislators made a solemn affirmation while taking the oath in Tamil. Officials led by Tamil Nadu chief secretary N Muruganandam were present.

CM Stalin dropped three ministers (T Mano Thangaraj, Gingee KS Masthan and K Ramachandran) and inducted four - Senthil Balaji and three others. Including the chief minister, the Cabinet strength is 35.

Besides DMK leaders including T R Baalu, leaders of DMK's alliance parties including Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalavan and MDMK general secretary Vaiko took part.