<p>Chennai: Durai Murugan, DMK general secretary and No. 2 in Chief Minister M K Stalin’s Cabinet, was on Thursday divested of the crucial Minerals and Mines portfolio and they were allotted to Law Minister S Regupathy. </p><p>Though there was no official word on the reason behind the sudden change in portfolio, it is believed that allegations of wide-scale corruption in the Mines and Minerals department led to the development. The department is already under the scanner of central agencies like the Enforcement Department (ED) which is probing the mining scam in Tamil Nadu; the agency had even summoned district collectors last year. </p>.Palaniswami rubbishes DMK's 'intimidation' barb aimed at AIADMK's alliance with BJP.<p>Durai Murugan, whose primary portfolio is Water Resources, was holding Mines and Minerals as an additional charge, and has now been given Law department as an additional charge. Incumbent law minister Regupathy has been designated as Minister for Natural Resources. </p><p>Stripping 86-year-old Durai Murugan, who is placed next only to Stalin in the Cabinet and in the party, of a key portfolio is a significant move with elections just about a year away. </p><p>“There were complaints about the department and collusion between officials and contractors. A change was imperative and hence the decision was taken to allot Mines and Minerals to Regupathy and pacify Durai Murugan by giving him another portfolio,” a DMK source told DH.</p><p>Thursday’s development comes just a fortnight after Stalin cracked the whip on another senior minister K Ponmudy, his contemporary in politics, over his controversial comments on Hinduism. By acting against Ponmudy and Durai Murugan, Stalin has sent a strong message to party seniors that no “indiscipline” or controversial speeches will be tolerated, and that seniority will not grant immunity from removal, especially ahead of the elections which is likely to be an intense multi-cornered contest. </p>.Sudden decision to conduct caste census reeks of political expediency: Stalin.<p>Durai Murugan has also been entangled in legal troubles with his discharge in two disproportionate assets (DA) cases by lower courts being struck down by the Madras High Court. Separately, another four ministers are also facing legal problems with regard to their acquittal being struck down by the high court and a few other ministers facing probe from central agencies.</p><p>“This is a clear message. Durai Murugan, despite being a senior, had to apologise for a comment made on physically challenged persons. When the comments and actions of senior ministers hurt the party, we have to act against them,” the source added.</p>
<p>Chennai: Durai Murugan, DMK general secretary and No. 2 in Chief Minister M K Stalin’s Cabinet, was on Thursday divested of the crucial Minerals and Mines portfolio and they were allotted to Law Minister S Regupathy. </p><p>Though there was no official word on the reason behind the sudden change in portfolio, it is believed that allegations of wide-scale corruption in the Mines and Minerals department led to the development. The department is already under the scanner of central agencies like the Enforcement Department (ED) which is probing the mining scam in Tamil Nadu; the agency had even summoned district collectors last year. </p>.Palaniswami rubbishes DMK's 'intimidation' barb aimed at AIADMK's alliance with BJP.<p>Durai Murugan, whose primary portfolio is Water Resources, was holding Mines and Minerals as an additional charge, and has now been given Law department as an additional charge. Incumbent law minister Regupathy has been designated as Minister for Natural Resources. </p><p>Stripping 86-year-old Durai Murugan, who is placed next only to Stalin in the Cabinet and in the party, of a key portfolio is a significant move with elections just about a year away. </p><p>“There were complaints about the department and collusion between officials and contractors. A change was imperative and hence the decision was taken to allot Mines and Minerals to Regupathy and pacify Durai Murugan by giving him another portfolio,” a DMK source told DH.</p><p>Thursday’s development comes just a fortnight after Stalin cracked the whip on another senior minister K Ponmudy, his contemporary in politics, over his controversial comments on Hinduism. By acting against Ponmudy and Durai Murugan, Stalin has sent a strong message to party seniors that no “indiscipline” or controversial speeches will be tolerated, and that seniority will not grant immunity from removal, especially ahead of the elections which is likely to be an intense multi-cornered contest. </p>.Sudden decision to conduct caste census reeks of political expediency: Stalin.<p>Durai Murugan has also been entangled in legal troubles with his discharge in two disproportionate assets (DA) cases by lower courts being struck down by the Madras High Court. Separately, another four ministers are also facing legal problems with regard to their acquittal being struck down by the high court and a few other ministers facing probe from central agencies.</p><p>“This is a clear message. Durai Murugan, despite being a senior, had to apologise for a comment made on physically challenged persons. When the comments and actions of senior ministers hurt the party, we have to act against them,” the source added.</p>