New Delhi: Tamil Nadu governor R.N. Ravi has put on hold the proposed swearing-in of former minister K. Ponmudy to re-induct him into the state Cabinet.
The senior Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader, who had earlier served as higher education minister, was disqualified as a member of legislative assembly (MLA) after the Madras high court had sentenced him to three years in jail in a disproportionate assets case in December last year. R.S. Rajakannappan was given the higher education portfolio in the place of Ponmudy.
The Supreme Court stayed his conviction and sentence on March 11. Citing official sources, The Hindu reported that chief minister M.K. Stalin had sought an appointment of the governor either for Wednesday or Thursday for the swearing-in ceremony of Ponmudy.
The buzz so far has been that Ponmudy would be re-inducted into the Cabinet this week. However, it seems unlikely now, as the governor is seeking legal opinion on the matter and will be away in Delhi on a official tour for three days.
The governor is said to be seeking clarification on whether it would be legally tenable to allow the re-induction of Ponmudy into the Council of Ministers given that the top court had only put an interim stay on his conviction and not set it aside. Without giving any details, the Raj Bhavan said the “matter is under consideration of the governor”.
Following the interim stay on March 11, Assembly Speaker M. Appavu on Wednesday, March 13, rescinded his earlier notification declaring the Thirukkoyilur Assembly constituency (held earlier by Ponmudy) vacant.
The latest notification by speaker, which was published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, states that the earlier notification of December 19 last year (declaring Thirukkoyilur Assembly constituency vacant), would cease to operate with effect from the same date, “in view of the interim order dated 11th March, 2024 of the Supreme Court of India in the Criminal Appeal No. 530-531 of 2024”.
Considered a DMK’s strongman in the state’s northern districts, Ponmudy hails from Villipuram and is currently the party’s general secretary. He has held various portfolios in the State Cabinet under late leader M. Karunanidhi. Ponmudy’s son, Gautham Sigamani, is the Lok Sabha MP from Kallakurichi.
