Stalin Side-lines Finance Minister PTR, Picks Industries Minister Thennarasu For World Economic Forum

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (PTR), who was encouraged by Chief Minister M K Stalin, to develop a working relationship with the Centre and interact with FM Nirmala Sitharaman seeking ways to improve state finances is being side-lined gradually. For the World Economic Forum’s 2022 Annual Meeting scheduled next month, Stalin has deputed Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu instead of PTR.  The CM’s pick has apparently surprised state bureaucratic circles. Thennarasu is brother of  Lok Sabha MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian. The buzz in DMK circles is that by opting for Thennarasu, Stalin has sent a message to the party cadre that his son Udhayanidhi’s supporters do enjoy certain privileges. At Davos, the TN government is likely to set up a special lounge for the entire duration — May 22-26. A while back Stalin had deputed Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma. Subramanian and Thennarasu to meet the Governor R N Ravi. The meeting lasted for 45 minutes and Thennarasu said that the main agenda discussed was about the anti-NEET Bill. It was Thenarasu who conveyed Stalin won’t attend his tea party. While leaders from some other Indian states are also likely to visit Davos. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and some senior union ministers are also expected to participate in the WEF summit, one of the most high-profile congregations of the world leaders