Why CM Stalin ‘values’ Tamil Nadu finance minister PTR, target of BJP’s audio files

An MIT graduate, a Madurai Meenakshi Amman devotee, an unconventional DMK politician who is not new to controversy — this, in a nutshell, is Dr P. Thiaga Rajan (PTR), the Tamil Nadu finance minister who has found himself in the eye of a political storm over two audio files. While BJP & AIADMK upped the ante against ‘PTR’s remarks’, the Tamil Nadu CM backed his minister and dismissed the issue as 'cheap politics'. Watch ThePrint #StateDraft by Akshaya Nath to know why Stalin 'values' his Finance Minister.

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[Vaimai]

PTR is a GEM. not much worrying about the current dramas. BJP/RSS can't play with Tamil People. CM, PTR are surely aware of this Mantra.

[Ayla_]

PTR is only good MLA in tamilnadu and DMK..

[selwynabraham]

PTR degrading process is pulling DMK towards the Dead End. DMK failed to know, how to manage PTR.

[prabhakarkrishnaswami]

PTR's resume and credentials are an open book. Whatever he claims can easily be verified. Recently, there is a talk of PTR being dropped from the cabinet or assigned a less important portfolio. It will be tamilnadu's loss if such drastic step is taken.

[Anilgowda]

Again just when you read ptr is all set to be stripped of his ministry and sent to IT ministry as punishment a journalist comes with such a video. This is the quality of folks who shekar Gupta employs ?

[venkatramangopalakrishnan]

This PTR will fit nicely into Modi scheme of things as he is achiever and has tangible solutions and good implementation after having been in international working environments under pressure. Also shows willingness against corruption in public. I request this guy to work with Modi in the national and TN interest where we had people like Kamaraj Omandurar etc.

[sriramkannan]

Following your news regularly on Print mam. Very nice.

[ralphsmithison]

He overvalued him in the first instance! He had to move him out to balance his earlier error! So much for the world's best finance minister!

[gomathis]

TN cabinet is good enough to have PTR like person handling Finance portfolio, upcoming media persons like you should not get indulged with 3rd rated political vendetta.

[deba]

It is difficult to fathom the motive behind the story.

[manivignesh.k]

MK Stalin fell on BJP's trap. The audio against DMK heads were published by BJP and the public didn't care much but it provoked Stalin and made him dethrone PTR. PTR was rebranding DMK's position and policies for the youth and carrying it around India. He was the biggest asset of DMK in the long term as 15 - 20 years down the line no one would vote for Udhayanidhi's face but the ideology, which PTR was effectively taking to the educated youth.

DMK leadership might feel safe temporarily but has lost a longterm game.

[subramanyasaib]

Doesnt look to be yes man but looks like "benami" or has something to hide for sure considering the amount involved in such huge transactions and what gets obtained post them!! Need to come out clean with all details if he has nothing to hide and also address issues or grievances in transparent manner so that the hounding dog like CBI/ ED don't drag and there is no excuse of non cooperation and dragged cases!!

[rakiniprem]

What do you mean by unconventional DMK politician? Do you know the history of DMK and Social impacts of Anna and Kalaignar.
Please educate yourself before your narratives.
Useless arguments by a media who doesn’t understand DMK history.
It is not only PTR, even while the entire india barked at A Raaja, DMK never abandon him. Still now no single genuine person from media requested apology for their abuse against Raaja. All these experts mentioned in this discussion are fringe elements in TN context.

[vishaladitya]

I really am unable to understand why Akshaya is not diving deep into the allegations by Annamalai and Co. Simply providing a portfolio of the history of DMK and its extended family is not enough. With skilled journalists like SG and DKS, I honestly expected more. To quote a certain Garrison Cootes from HIMYM, "Not. Good. Enough."

[b.gopinath]

Begins decent, after u collapse bringing cheap people name as refer u too waste, unnecessary talking.

[mdivya]

there are some allegations about PTR falsifying his education credentials. Personally, I have no idea if this is true or not; maybe someone who knows will comment on this.

[satyendrakumar-wknp]

Lol paid video.. So much of corruption and terrible roads

[krishnasm]

PTR is a street fighter, he is educated but not civilised.