Ponmudi, who was the higher education minister of Tamil Nadu, was sentenced to three years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50 lakh by the Madras High Court in a case of assets disproportionateto his income.
The Supreme Court, hearing the appeal case, ordered the stay of the High Court's order convicting Ponmudi.
Because of this, he was again declared as a member of the assembly. Chief Minister M.K.Stalin had written a letter to Governor R.N Ravi asking him to administer oath of office on March 13 or 14 to re-appoint him as a minister. But the governor refused.
Accordingly, the Tamil Nadu government is facing this issue legally. The Tamil Nadu government has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the Governor who has not administered the oath even after being nominated by the Chief Minister.
It is the duty of the State Governor to carry out the recommendation of the State Government in the absence of any legal impediment. By failing to fulfil his duties within the law, the Governor has reaffirmed that his job is to consistently block the recommendations and decisions of the Tamil Nadu government.
As the Governor has refused to administer the oath to Ponmudi as a minister, legal recourse is the only option. That is why the Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court.
The law will do its duty. We have to wait for the Supreme Court verdict.