Ponmudy row involving Guv : Stalins thanks SC for upholding spirit of Constitution, democracy

Chennai, Mar 22  Hours after former Minister K.Ponmudy was sworn-in and re-inducted
into the Tamil Nadu Cabinet after three months, Chief Minister M.K.Stalin thanked the Supreme
Court for its timely intervention and upholding the spirit of the Constitution and saving the democracy
after Governor R.N.Ravi had earlier refused to swear-in him as the Minister.
Mr Ponmudy was earlier convicted and sentenced to three years jail term by the Madras High Court
in a DA case in December 2023 and he was automatically disqualified under the RPA Act.
On an appeal filed by him, the Supreme Court had stayed the conviction and the sentence paving
the way for his return to the Cabinet.
However, the Governor refused to induct him into the Cabinet stating that the Apex Court had not
totally set aside the High Court verdict and had provided only an interim relief to Mr Ponmudy.
On a petition filed by the DMK, the Supreme Court yesterday voiced serious concern over the
conduct of the Governor following which Mr Ponmudy was sworn-in as Minister at a brief function
held at the Raj Bhavan and re-inducted into the Cabinet as the Higher Education Minister.
Thanking the Supreme Court, Mr Stalin, in a social media post said, ""On behalf of the people
of Tamil Nadu, I thank the Hon'ble Supreme Court, the custodian of the Constitution, for its timely
intervention nad upholding the spirit of the Constitution and saving the democracy."
"In the last decade, the people of #INDIA witnessed the dithering of democracy, withering of federalism and misadventures to put spikes before the functioning of sovereign governments elected by the people and giving age-old traditions a go by", he said.
"#Elections2024 are crucial to save the democracy and uphold the Constitution", he added.
"Let us strive hard to prevent the brazen abuse of the power by fascist forces threatening to ruin our
glorious nation", Mr Stalin said.