After SC rap, TN Governor to re-induct Ponmudy to Stalin cabinet

A day after the Supreme Court's nudge, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Friday accepted Chief Minister M K Stalin's recommendation on re-inducting senior DMK MLA K Ponmudy in the cabinet led by him.

The swearing-in will be held at 3.30 pm on Friday, a Raj Bhavan said in a press release.

Stalin has recommended that Ponmudy be allocated the subjects of Higher Education including Technical Education, Electronics, Science and Technology, currently held by Backward Classes Minister R S Rajakannappan.

"The Hon'ble Governor has approved the recommendation. The swearing-in ceremony of the minister designate will be held today (March 22) at 3.30 pm at the Raj Bhavan," the release said.

On Thursday, the apex Court had voiced "serious concern" over the conduct of Ravi for his refusal to re-induct Ponmudy as a minister in the state cabinet even after it suspended his earlier conviction. The SC had directed the Governor to decide on the issue within 24 hours.

The Governor had refused to re-induct Ponmudy, whose conviction and three-year sentence in a disproportionate assets case the apex court stayed recently, despite Chief Minister M K Stalin's recommendation.