PMK raises questions over Rao’s arrangement

According to an announcement from the Raj Bhavan, the finance minister would be the head of the cabinet meetings whenever it was convened. The announcement clearly stated that the new arrangement has been done based on the advice of the Chief Minister.

While such an arrangement was a welcome step, it should not create confusion or give room for doubts among the public. The Governor in the release has said that under the section of 166(3), the CM had requested him to shuffle the portfolios of the ministers. The constitutional provision is aimed at ensuring smooth functioning of the government under circumstances like the present one. But the Governor could carry it out only on the basis of the CM’s advice. 

However, in the current situation it is learnt through the medical bulletins released by the Apollo Hospitals that Jayalalithaa was undergoing treatment for infection. In fact, nobody was being allowed to meet her in person other than the doctors who were treating her. Moreover, the hospital also said that she had been put on life support system and was being given passive physiotherapy. Therefore, how she could have had given the advice to the governor, asked Ramadoss.