Edappadi retains Panneerselvam’s Cabinet, save one; here's the list of ministers

As chief minister, Palanisami will handle all portfolios held by the outgoing chief minister, including Home, Finance and PWD (Public Works Department).

Edappadi Palanisamy nominated by Sasikala meets Governor and stakes his claim to form the Government. | Express File Photo

CHENNAI: Chief Minister-designate ‘Edappadi’ K Palanisamy adopted rebel leader Chief Minister O Panneerselvam’s cabinet almost as it is, barring two exceptions – Panneerselvam himself and his colleague 'Ma Foi' K Pandiarajan.

In the latter’s spot, AIADMK presidium chairman KA Sengottaiyan was accommodated into the cabinet. The council of ministers will be sworn-in in a short while, along with the new chief minister.

As chief minister, Palanisami will handle all portfolios held by the outgoing chief minister, including Home, Finance and PWD (Public Works Department). He will continue to hold the portfolios he was entrusted with so far - Highways and Minor Ports.

School Education portfolio held by K Pandiarajan has been allocated to AIADMK presidium chairman KA Sengottaiyan. The portfolios of other ministers have been retained.

Panneerselvam's Cabinet had 32 ministers including himself. Now, there are 31 in the Cabinet headed by Palanisamy. The new council of ministers will be administered the oath of office by Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao at 4.30 pm at a simple function to be held at Raj Bhavan.

Here is the list of ministers:

‘Dindigul’ C Srinivasan (Forests)

‘Sellur’ K Raju (Co-operation)

P Thangamani (Electricity, Prohibition, and Excise),

SP Velumani (Municipal Administration, Rural Development and Implementation of Special Programme)

D Jayakumar (Fisheries)

C Ve Shanmugam (Law, Courts, and Prisons)

KP Anbalagan (Higher Education)

V Saroja (Social Welfare and Nutritious Noon Meal Programme)

MC Sampath (Industries)

KC Karuppannan (Environment)

R Kamaraj (Food and Civil Supplies)