K. Ponmudy | Photo Credit: Jothi Ramalingam B
With the resignation of the Minister of Forest and Khadi K. Ponmuda, the Villupuram district will now be deprived of a ministerial representation in the state cabinet.
Mr. Ponmuda was a lone representative of the Minister from the district in the district of Trukkoyilur. Second Minister, Gingee KS Masthan, who was elected from Gingee and held positions of minorities and non -residents Tamils Welfare was dropped from the cabinet in the switch held on 29 September 2024.
Mr. Masthan reportedly lost his ministry because of “inefficiency”.
In the 2021 elections, DMK won four of the seven constituencies in the district, while two went to AIADMK and one to PMK. The Chief Minister of MK Stalin rewarded voters by including Mr. Ponmudy and Mr. Masthan in the cabinet.
But four years later they are both from the cabinet and no local representatives were selected to replace them.
From several corners, it was expected that some of the three seated MLA DMK would be included in the cabinet. Although Villupuram Mla R. Lakshmanan was expected to be the successor of Mr. Ponmudy, he did not take place and ultimately ended up without any representation in the cabinet.
Although Mr. Ponmuda has published reports of his flipantal statements and abuse language on public platforms in the past, his recent derogatory speech against saivites, VaiShnavit and women was the last straw.
According to DMK official in Villupuram: “Although the party cadre is disappointed due to lack of ministerial representation, the decision of the main minister is final. Changes will not prevent ongoing development works in the district.”
It is expected that ministers of the district of other districts, such as Kallakurichi, who have not received representation in the cabinet, will receive in the cabinet without representing the cabinet.
Published – April 28 2025 20:59 IS IS
