Changing cabinet composition is Stalin’s right, says Duraimurugan

CHENNAI: Amid speculation that the state Cabinet could be reshuffled on Thursday (May 11), Irrigation Minister Duraimurugan said that it was the unquestionable right of the Chief Minister to replace or sack ministers in his Cabinet.

Talking to mediapersons at his Kotturpuram residence this morning, Duraimurugan dispelled rumours of his meeting with the state governor and said, "It was up to the Chief Minister to decide on it (cabinet reshuffle). If I knew something about it, I would have told you the truth."

When reporters sought his reaction to the necessity of a cabinet reshuffle, he said, "A chief minister can replace or sack or shuffle the ministers in his cabinet. It is his prerogative-right. No one can question it. Whether it is happening or not, I know only as much as you people do."

Asked about his visit to the Raj Bhavan, the senior most member of the Tamil Nadu cabinet said, "I returned from a two-day trip to Nagercoil and Tirunelveli only in the morning. Upon my return, I straightaway went to meet the Chief Minister. He was already in the car, ready to leave for an event. He offered to meet me at the Secretariat later. I went to the Secretariat and attended to my files. When I called again, I was informed that the CM was resting due to leg pain. I have no knowledge of it (reshuffle). These days if a person is away from the state capital for one day, a world of change happens."

To a pointed query on if he met the Governor, he said, "I did not go to the Governor's house or anywhere else. If I do, I will tell you."

On his name also being rumoured to be among the list of ministers facing portfolio change, the Leader of the State Assembly sarcastically said, "So be it.I would not decline."

Dismissing rumours of appointment of deputy chief ministers as "cock and bull stories," Duraimurugan said that the question of meeting the Governor does not arise as he does not know about the reshuffle.