Raja is the new IT and Communication Minister

NEW DELHI: Environment Minister A Raja was moved to the IT and Communication ministry on Tuesday after his predecessor Dayanidhi Maran resigned following a leadership tussle in his party.

Dayanidhi Maran quit on Sunday after a row in his Tamil Nadu state-based DMK party turned violent, killing three people.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would hold the environment portfolio and S. Regupathy, a junior home minister, had been moved as the new deputy environment minister, a statement from the presidents office said.

Maran's tenure as communications minister saw sizzling growth in mobile phone use in India and the 40-year-old was seen as one of the most able members in the federal cabinet.