May 20, 2016
Some big names, like Natham Viswanathan and Vaithilingam, will be missing in the new cabinet that is getting ready for the 2016 assembly.
While the people elected an AIADMK MLA from Cuddalore, one of the worst hit regions in the November-December floods, indicating that the masses bore no grudge against the party for the disaster, some prominent ministers did fail to get re-elected.
O. Panneerselvam is likely to retain his finance portfolio, and continue to enjoy his position in the party. Former ministers Natham Viswanathan and Vaithilingam were handling the electricity and housing ministries last time.
Search is on for replacements. But there are plenty of options though. Among the likely candidates are P. Thangamani (the industries minister), Sengottiyan, Palaniappan, and Jayakumar.
The party will soon meet the Governor and submit the proposed list of ministers and the support letter.