Chennai: Tamil Nadu ministers V. Senthil Balaji and K. Ponmudy on Sunday stepped down from their posts paving way for the reshuffle of the Tamil Nadu government headed by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.Governor R.N. Ravi accepted the resignations of the ministers who were under pressure to quit the Cabinet.The Chief Minister has recommended the induction of former minister T. Mano Thangaraj into the Cabinet. The swearing-in-ceremony will be held on Monday at Raj Bhavan.Balaji who is facing a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) had got a stern warning from the Supreme Court that his bail would be cancelled if he did not quit the ministerial post. Given a choice between freedom and going to jail by staying as minister, Balaji chose to stay outside of prison.Ponmudy faced widespread criticism for his comments connecting Shaivite and Vaishnavite faiths with women in a derogatory manner. The Madras High Court has suo motu taken up his case for trial and directed the police to file a case against him.Transport minister S.S. Sivasankar will take over electricity portfolio held by Balaji while the forest department will go to R.S. Rajakannappan who will also be in charge of the khadi department. The prohibition and excise departments will be handled by housing and urban development minister S. Muthusamy.
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