MK Stalin-led DMK administration in Tamil Nadu has recently completed its second year in power and though the DMK rule has come through a lot of systematic overhauls, it has also confronted a slew of public outcries with the recent uproars being introducing a Bill of 12-hour-working and permitting the consumption of alcohol at marriage halls. While the government backtracked from these two proposals, the DMK administration faced a fire over the alleged audio clips of finance minister Palanivel Thiagarajan (PTR). 

In the purported audio clip, Thiagarajan was heard alleging that MK Stalin's son Udhayanidhi Stalin and the former's son-in-law Sabareesan had earned Rs 30,000 crore in two years. The audio, shared by Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai, had sparked a political storm within the high command and there were hints that PTR could either be removed from the cabinet or be changed to some other portfolio. 

However, besides PTR, several ministers in the ruling government had been facing criticisms over their conducts with the people and with the party cadres. From Avadi Nasar, who pelted stones at DMK functionaries to KN Nehru, who abused a local body official, a league of ministers had faced outrage that was in a fashion of putting MK Stalin's rule in a bad light. 

With PTR's audio clips going viral and with the completion of two years in power, the talk of cabinet reshuffle is now on the table. And the rejig this time would be a major overhaul, that would see ousters from the cabinet. While ministers like Avadi Nasar, Kayalvizhi Selvaraj, and Ramachandran are expected to lose their ministerial ranks due to their poor performances, Chief Minister MK Stalin has planned to induct young faces into his council of ministers. 

According to reports, DMK MLAs like TRB Raaja - the son of veteran DMK MP TB Baalu, Raja from Sankarankovil, Tamilarasi would be roped into the cabinet. Some reports assert that DMK MLA from Thousand Lights, Dr Ezhilan would get a berth at cabinet. Portfolios like finance, health and family welfare, local administration, and industries will have new ministers and the existing ministers would be awarded new portfolios. 

It has been reported that MK Stalin has expressed his disappointment to his close aides about Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan over the audio clips. While sources said Thiagarajan had come out and offered to resign, Stalin told him that such resignation would made the audio clips true. He was however asked to rebute the clips after which he released a video, hailing MK Stalin's leadership and his relationship with Udhayanidhi Stalin and Sabareesan.

MK Stalin has planned to change Thiagarajan's portfolio and he would most likely be awarded the portfolio of Industries and Information Technology while Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu would be taking charge as the Finance Minister, the current portfolio held by Thiagarajan. While senior minister Durai Murugan, who is serving as Water Resources Minister, would be made the Minister of Law, Courts, and Prisons, the latter's current holder Regupathy will take over the Water Resources Department. 

On the front of when this major cabinet reshuffle would take place, our sources say that it may happen anytime ahead of MK Stalin's foreign tour. Stalin is expected to commence his foreign tour on May 23 and he would be visiting Japan and Singapore to attract investments to the state. He would be back to the state on May 31 and before he takes off from Chennai, he would turn over a new leaf by schuffling the cabinet. It is pertinent to note that the recent change in the cabinet was inducting Udhayanidhi Stalin as a minister. Udhayanidhi came into cabinet late last year and now, within six months, Stalin would bring some new faces into the top decision making body.