Supreme Court’s Intervention Forces Governor Ravi To Swear In TN Minister

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi had to finally reinduct K Ponmudy as a minister on Friday following the intervention and censure of Supreme Court.

The top court had given the Governor 24 hours on Thursday to decide on the issue.

Chief Minister MK Stalin thanked the Supreme Court on behalf of Tamil Nadu people for the timely intervention and “upholding the spirit of the constitution and saving democracy”.

Governor Ravi had refused to reinduct Ponmudi in the DMK-headed state Cabinet of ministers despite the CM’s recommendation, after the top court stayed Ponmudi’s conviction and three-year sentence in a disproportionate assets case.

Observing that Ravi was defying the top court’s order, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud-headed three-judge bench wondered how the Governor said that Ponmudi’s reinduction would be against constitutional morality.

Supreme Court was hearing a petition filed by Tamil Nadu government seeking a direction to the Governor to accept Stalin’s recommendation to reinduct Ponmudi as a minister.

On Friday, when Stalin was about to present a bouquet to the Governor, Ravi asked him to present it to Ponmudy.

Ravi shook hands with Ponmudy after the low-key swearing-in ceremony ended with the national anthem.