Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami is unlikely to transfer any of his portfolios to Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam or other Ministers while he goes on his official tour of the U.K. and the U.S. during August 28-September 7.
A senior Minister and officials of the State government pointed out that as Mr. Palaniswami will be on a State visit to the West, he can handle any matter of urgency that may arise when he is away. In such an eventuality, he will sign on the file concerned wherever he is and have the decisions conveyed to officials in Chennai through facsimile.
The sum and substance of the explanation provided by the Minister and the officials is that there is no need for the Chief Minister to transfer his portfolios, even temporarily, to any of his colleagues. In the political tradition of the State as well, at least in the last 50-odd years, no instance can be shown wherein any Minister was designated as “acting Chief Minister” to handle subjects during the absence of the Chief Minister.