- V Senthil Balaji reinstated as Minister for Electricity, Prohibition, and Excise.
- Udhayanidhi Stalin appointed as Deputy Chief Minister, enhancing his responsibilities.
In a significant cabinet reshuffle in Tamil Nadu, V Senthil Balaji was sworn in as the Minister of Electricity, Prohibition, and Excise once again, a role he previously held from May 2021 until June 2023. The ceremony took place at the Raj Bhavan in Chennai, where Governor RN Ravi administered the oath to the new ministers.
Joining Balaji are Dr. Govi Chezhiaan, who takes charge of Higher Education, and R Rajendran, who will oversee the Tourism Ministry. SM Nasar also assumed the role of Minister for Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare, having previously handled the Milk and Dairy Development portfolio.
Udhayanidhi Stalin, currently the Minister of Sports, was appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister, expanding his role to include Planning and Development. His father, Chief Minister MK Stalin, was present at the ceremony, underscoring the political significance of this appointment.
Additionally, K Ponmudy is now the Minister for Forests, Environment, and Climate Change, while Siva V Meyyanathan steps in as the Minister for Backward Classes Welfare. N Kayalvizhi Selvaraj takes on the Human Resources Management and Ex-Servicemen Welfare portfolios, and M Mathiventhan is responsible for Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare.
RS Rajakannappan has been assigned the roles of Minister for Milk and Dairy Development, alongside Khadi & Village Industries, and Thangam Tennarasu retains his Finance and Archaeology portfolios while also managing Environment and Climate Change.
The reshuffle follows the recommendation of names by Chief Minister MK Stalin, who sought to refresh the cabinet just a day before the swearing-in. Notably, three ministers—T Mano Thangaraj, Gingee KS Masthan, and K Ramachandran—have been dropped from their posts.
In a noteworthy development, V Senthil Balaji returned to the cabinet shortly after being granted bail by the Supreme Court concerning a money laundering case linked to a cash-for-jobs scam. His reappointment marks a significant comeback in the state’s political landscape.
