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The name of Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (PTR) abruptly disappeared from the list of speakers at DMK events organized in the district headquarters and major cities across the state on Sunday, sparking speculations about internal party changes.
However, when asked about the change, senior DMK sources told The Indian Express that Rajan himself had asked for his name to be removed from the list.
Rajan’s name was on the preliminary list of speakers prepared by DMK headquarters for a series of events planned over the weekend to celebrate his two years in power. Rajan was to speak in his hometown of Madurai with other ministers. On Sunday, when the party’s organ, Morasoli, published the final list of speakers, Rajan’s name was absent.
DMK sources said Rajan had filed a motion to have his name dropped due to the recent controversy his name was dragged into, believing it would be best for him to avoid making public speeches. The sources added that the party leadership agreed to his request.
Rajan, the chief minister in the DMK cabinet, was embroiled in controversy last month after two audio clips, purporting to show his voice, were leaked by Chennai-based informant and BJP unit chief K Annamalai. The audio clips indicated that there was corruption within the family of Prime Minister MK Stalin. Rajan subsequently issued a statement denouncing the audio as fake and artificial.
Days after the audio leak, income tax officials raided G-Square, a real estate company with alleged links to the Stalin family.
The Indian Express reported on May 3 that Rajan may be relieved of the finance minister portfolio in a cabinet reshuffle expected to be announced before May 20.
A senior DMK leader said that by restructuring his government, Stalin would send a clear message that “no one should think that they will be ministers forever”.
However, contrary to speculation, it is unlikely that he will face the axe-beleaguered Rajan despite his purse cut, sources say. “Stalin might give him (PTR) a chance,” the insider explained, referring to a possible shake-up of the PTR portfolio rather than his ouster from the cabinet.
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