J. Venkatesan

— Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Minister for Local Administration M.K. Stalin with the newly sworn-in Central Ministers (from left): D. Napoleon, S.S. Palanimanickam, Dayanidhi Maran, M.K. Azhagiri, A. Raja, S. Jagathrakshakan and S. Gandhiselvan, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Thursday.

New Delhi: M.K. Azhagiri, A. Raja and Dayanidhi Maran from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and G.K. Vasan from the Congress from Tamil Nadu were among the 14 Cabinet Ministers sworn in on Thursday.

While Mr. Azhagiri was elected from Madurai, Mr. Raja and Mr. Maran were elected from the Nilgiris and Chennai Central constituencies. Mr. Vasan is a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament.

Those inducted as Ministers of State are: S.S. Palanimanickam (Thanjavur), S. Jagathrakshakan (Arakkonam), S. Gandhiselvan (Namakkal) and actor Napoleon (Perambalur).

Mr. Palanimanickam was previously the Minister of State (Finance). Indications are Mr. Azhagiri will be in-charge of Chemicals and Fertilisers; Mr. Raja will handle Information Technology and Communication and Mr. Maran will be Minister for Textiles.

V. Narayanasamy of the Congress, elected from Puducherry, was sworn in as Minister of State.

In a brief interaction with reporters at Tamil Nadu House, Mr. Azhagiri said, “I thank the people of Tamil Nadu, the Chief Minister and the DMK chief (M. Karunanidhi) for giving me an opportunity to serve the people of the State.”

He said, “I will serve the people of this country in general and Tamil Nadu in particular. Madurai will be given preferential treatment, because I am elected from there.”