New Delhi: Considering Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa’s bad health, all her portfolios have been forwarded to Finance Minister O Panneerselvam, on Jayalalithaa’s advive. The move has been welcomed by the opposition DMK, saying “the move would augur well for the state's administration”.

  • "As the Opposition Leader, I welcome this action taken by the Governor in the interest of the administrative welfare of the state," DMK Treasurer M K Stalin said


 

  • Stalin pointed out that Tamil Nadu was "surrounded” by inter-state water rows like Cauvery and Mullaperiyar


 

  • While the Cauvery issue, involving Karnataka, was coming up before the Supreme Court on October 17, the North East Monsoon was due to set in soon and at such a time there has to be "a responsible cabinet to discuss such administrative issues", he said in a statement


 

  • Stalin also said, “Such a cabinet needs a head. Only then can decision on issues pertaining to the state's welfare can be taken


 

  • He recalled that DMK had earlier demanded that the government name an interim or Deputy Chief Minister to effectively handle issues like the Cauvery dispute, till the time Jayalalithaa returned and resumed work