After SC rap, TN governor administers oath to DMK’s Ponmudi

A day after Supreme Court's nudge, senior DMK leader K Ponmudy was sworn in as Tamil Nadu Minister by Governor RN Ravi. Ponmudy had lost his post as a minister after being convicted in a disproportionate assets case about three years ago. He was convicted on 19 December 2023 by the Madras High Court. The swearing-in of Ponmudy as Minister in the Tamil Nadu cabinet is believed to be the end of a face-off between the Chief Minister and the Governor. The apex court, during the hearing, expressed "serious concern" over Governor Ravi's conduct as he refused to re-induct Ponmudi as a minister even after Supreme Court suspended his conviction. The top court directed Ravi to decide the issue within 24 hours. Observing that Ravi was defying Supreme Court's order, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud wondered how can the governor say that Ponmudy's reinduction will be against constitutional morality.