Who will get what? Sources hint to DT Next

A Dalit chief minister might be a distant reality in the current political scenario in Tamil Nadu, but the State is most likely to see a Dalit become its Higher Education Minister in less than a day. Highly placed DMK sources disclosed to DT Next that Chief Minister Stalin has picked three-time MLA Dr Govi Chezhian, representing Thiruvidaimaruthur reserve constituency in Thanjavur district, for the coveted Higher Education portfolio.

Chezhian, who is currently the Chief Government Whip, would step into the shoes of K Ponmudy, a veteran who has been stripped of the Higher Education portfolio and allotted a relatively insignificant Forest portfolio on Saturday by Stalin.

Sources confided to this newspaper that debutant minister R Rajendran, one of the DMK secretaries of Salem district and lone MLA from the native district of Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami, would be allotted Tourism portfolio, replacing K Ramachandran who has been dropped from the cabinet.

‘Avadi’ SM Nasar would likely be allotted Minorities Welfare portfolio, replacing ‘Gingee’ KS Masthan who has been shown the door by the DMK leadership. Nasar was dropped as Milk and Dairy Development minister in an earlier cabinet reshuffle.

Additionally, sources privy to the portfolio discussions in the DMK revealed that Senthilbalaji would retain the Electricity portfolio he held prior to ‘quitting’ the cabinet following his arrest in June last year.

They also added that ‘Avadi’ SM Nasar would likely be allotted Minorities Welfare portfolio, replacing ‘Gingee’ KS Masthan who has been shown the door by the DMK leadership.