Tensions between the Tamil Nadu Governor, R N Ravi, and Chief Minister M K Stalin’s administration have escalated once again, as the Governor refused to accept the recommendation to appoint senior politician K Ponmudy as a minister. The recent episode adds to the ongoing friction between the two offices regarding ministerial appointments.Ponmudy’s reinstatement as an MLA last week, following the Supreme Court’s stay on his conviction in a disproportionate assets case, prompted Chief Minister Stalin to swiftly advocate for his appointment as a minister. However, Governor Ravi, who returned from Delhi on Saturday, rebuffed the Chief Minister’s request on Sunday evening.
The political saga began in December 2023 when Ponmudy was dropped as the Higher Education Minister and disqualified as a legislator due to his conviction. The Madras High Court’s verdict under the Prevention of Corruption Act resulted in Ponmudy’s removal from office. Nevertheless, the recent Supreme Court decision to suspend his sentence prompted Ponmudy’s swift reinstatement as an MLA by the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker.
Stalin’s prompt letter to the Governor urging Ponmudy’s appointment was met with resistance, indicating a widening gulf between the state government and the Governor’s office. This marks the second instance of such conflict over ministerial appointments, underscoring the strained relationship between the two entities.