DMK Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services, Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (PTR), has stirred political controversy after expressing frustration in the state assembly over the limited budget allocated to his department. His comments, made during a legislative session, suggested that those seeking support should approach departments that have the “money, ability, and power“—a statement that has drawn criticism and raised eyebrows in political circles.
The remarks came during the Question and Answer session in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on 21 April 2025, when AIADMK MLA Pon Jayaseelan from Gudalur urged the government to establish an IT park in his constituency to create job opportunities.
Responding to the request, Minister PTR noted, “Honorable Speaker, in this very session, I have mentioned the problems in my department in this House. The funds allocated are very limited. Unlike other states, not all the technology parks are functioning in our sector. Only a small part of ELCOT is operational in our sector, while the rest—TIDAL and NEO TIDAL—are functioning in the industrial sector. Although this is an extraordinary situation, it has persisted in Tamil Nadu for 20 years. Therefore, if you ask who has the money, capacity, and power, I believe he will take action. Unfortunately, we do not possess these.”
Speaker Appavu intervened during the exchange, reminding the minister that inter-departmental issues should be resolved through discussions with the Chief Minister. He further advised that ministers should aim to provide constructive responses to queries raised by fellow legislators.
நிதியும் இல்லை… அதிகாரமும் இல்லை… திமுக அமைச்சர் PTR புலம்பல் | #dmk | #ptrpalanivelthiyagarajan #dmk #mkstalin #tnassembly #tamiljanam #tngovt | pic.twitter.com/2OSYhIr0Jm
— Tamil Janam (@TamilJanamNews) April 21, 2025
DMK IT Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan’s recent expression of dissatisfaction comes nearly two years after he was removed from the Finance portfolio and reassigned to the Information Technology department in May 2023. This shift followed the leak of an alleged audio recording in which PTR was purportedly heard accusing Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, and son-in-law, Sabareesan, of amassing wealth worth thousands of crores. The fallout from the leak reportedly led to his demotion to what many perceive as a less influential role within the cabinet.
PTR’s current grievances are viewed not just as complaints over limited departmental power, but also as indicative of deeper issues within the party’s internal dynamics. Critics see the situation as reinforcing the DMK’s pattern of dynastic politics—particularly as T.R.B. Rajaa, the Minister for Industries and son of DMK Treasurer and Sriperumbudur MP T.R. Baalu, continues to hold a key economic portfolio, consolidating influence under party’s spread.
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