Chennai, Sep 15 (UNI) Upon his return from the successful two-week US trip during which the Tamil Nadu Government inked 19 MoUs committing Rs 7,616 crore investments, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said a reshuffle of his Cabinet is on the cards.
Talking to reporters at the airport on Saturday, he replied in the affirmative when a question was posed on possible rejig of his Cabinet, which was widely speculated that it would take place before has embarked on his US trip to attract investments to the State to achieve the goal making TN a USD one trillion dollar economy by 2030.
On his pre-departure remarks before emplaning for US “change was constant”, Mr. Stalin, while replying to a query, said the DMK will always stand by its words “will do what it say” (sonnathai seiyum; solvathaithan seiyum).
“I will reply in one line..the DMK is going to celebrate its 75th anniversary. I hope that certainly and definitely a situation that will arise that will fulfill your expectations,” MrStalin, flanked by his Cabinet colleagues, added.
Rumours were rife that the much and eagerly awaited Cabinet reshuffle would take place before his US visit and the likely elevation of his son and Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, amid growing demands within the party and also by some Ministers openly favouring it.
Amid widespread speculations there would be a reshuffle of the State Cabinet, Mr Stalin had on August 22, a few days before his US trip, said he has no information about it.
He said he has not received any information about it, about any Cabinet reshuffle taking place that day (August 22).
When asked about the reports, Mr Stalin said “I have not received any information (about the Cabinet reshuffle)”.
The reports, quoting DMK insiders said, a massive reshuffle of the Cabinet was likely. It also said at least three Ministers will be shown the door and fresh faces from Salem and Tiruvallur districts would be inducted into the Council of Ministers.
The reports also said there could be reshuffle of portfolios of some of the Ministers, besides elevation of Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is also the DMK Youth Wing Secretary, as the Deputy Chief Minister.
The speculations of Cabinet reshuffle taking place gained more credence when newly appointed Chief Secretary N Muruganandam met Governor R N Ravi at Raj Bhavan that evening.
