How Jayalalithaa took errant ministers to task

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa undertook a massive cabinet reshuffle on Friday by dropping six ministers and inducting six new faces. A government release said six ministers have been dropped and six new ministers have been appointed in their place.

Though no reason has been given for the fifth reshuffle in five months, intelligence officials said it was expected.

"Some of the ministers have been dropped for their poor performance in office and some due to the failure of the AIADMK candidates in their regions in last month's local body elections," said a state intelligence officer.

He said all ministers in the Jayalalithaa cabinet are being monitored by a team of intelligence officials. “Amma does not like ministers who do not perform up to her expectations. The last couple of days saw a series of meetings where the ministers were grilled by her. Those who could not answer properly have been shown the door, and there is nothing surprising in it," said the official who did not want his name to be quoted.

Interestingly, there is no clamour among the AIADMK MLAs to become ministers. “All of us know that it is not an easy job. A mistake here or an error there is sufficient ground to be dropped from the cabinet. It is better not to aspire for something where we may fail to raise up to her expectation,” said an  AIADMK  leader.