TN CM drops IT Minister Manikandan

In a surprise move, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami dropped state Information and Technology Minister M Manikandan from the council of ministers. This is the first time that Edappadi has dropped a minister. The Tamil Nadu government’s cabinet strength has now reduced to 31. The move comes after Manikandan said the decision to reduce the cable TV monthly subscription was taken by the Chief Minister without his concurrence and criticised his cabinet colleague Udumalai K Radhakrishnan for conflict of interest on the cable TV issue. Manikandan's ouster by the CM is being seen as a strong message to his entire cabinet.