CHENNAI, June 11: Chief Minister M Karunanidhi yesterday resorted to another reshuffle of ministerial portfolios to indicate displeasure over the functioning of two cabinet colleagues -- Pulavar Senguttuvan and Andhiyur P Selvarasu. While Senguttavan reportedly got rapped for the Thanvajur temple fire, Selvarasu earned Karunanidhi's ire for his fire-walking episode.

The former has now been stripped of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments portfolio, which has been entrusted to Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture Minister M Tamilkudimagan. Selvarasu has lost stationery, printing and government press departments to Forest Minister Pongalur N Palanisamy, and now retains only the Khadi Department.

The tragedy at Brahadeeswarar temple on the eve of the Kumbabhishekam ceremony had left over 40 people dead. Later, several political parties criticised the poor arrangements for the pre-consecration rituals at the temple's Yagasala pandal which, they charged, led to the fire and stampede.Senguttuvan has now been given the animal husbandry portfolio.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.