K. Ponmudi (born Deivasigamani K, 19 August 1950) is an Indian politician and the Minister for Higher Education of Tamil Nadu,[3] who was disqualified in 2023 after the Madras High Court convicted him in the disproportionate assets case.[4][5] He was the Minister for Higher Education of Tamil Nadu from 2006 to 2011.[6] He was born in T. Edaiyar in the Villupuram district. He has a bachelor's degree in law, a master's degree in history, political science and public administration and a doctorate in political science. He is an alumnus of Annamalai University.[7] Before entering professional politics, he was a professor in the Villupuram government college. He has been elected to the Tamil Nadu assembly five times. From 1989 to 1991 during Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam rule he was the Minister for Health, and from 1996 to 2001 he was the Minister for Transport and Highways.[8][9] He authored a book titled Dravidian Movement in India and Black Movement in the U.S.A.[10]
Dr. K. Ponmudi | |
|---|---|
| Cabinet Minister Government of Tamil Nadu | |
| Assumed office 22 March 2024 | |
| Minister | Minister for forest |
| Chief Minister | M. K. Stalin |
| Preceded by | Raja Kannappan |
| In office 7 May 2021 – 21 December 2023 | |
| Chief Minister | M. K. Stalin |
| Preceded by | K. P. Anbalagan |
| Succeeded by | Raja Kannappan |
| In office 13 May 2006 – 15 May 2011 | |
| Chief Minister | M. Karunanidhi |
| Preceded by | C. V. Shanmugam |
| Succeeded by | P. Palaniappan |
| In office 13 May 1996 – 13 May 2001 | |
| Minister | Minister for Transport & Highways |
| Chief Minister | M. Karunanidhi |
| Preceded by | K. A. Sengottaiyan |
| Succeeded by | Nainar Nagendran |
| In office 27 January 1989 – 30 January 1991 | |
| Minister | Minister for Health |
| Chief Minister | M. Karunanidhi |
| Preceded by | P. U. Shanmugam |
| Succeeded by | S. Muthusamy |
| Member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office 2016 | |
| Preceded by | L. Venkatesan |
| Constituency | Tirukkoyilur |
| In office 1996–2011 | |
| Preceded by | D. Janardhanan |
| Succeeded by | C. V. Shanmugam |
| Constituency | Villupuram |
| In office 1989–1991 | |
| Preceded by | M. Mani Rajarathinam |
| Succeeded by | D. Janardhanan |
| Constituency | Villupuram |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 August 1950 T. Edaiyar, Tirukoilur Taluk, South Arcot district, Madras. |
| Political party | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam |
| Spouse | Visalakshi[1] |
| Children | Dr Gowtham Sigamani, Dr Ashok Sigamani[2] |
| Residence | Villupuram |
Conviction
editOn 19 December 2023, The Madras High Court convicted him in disproportionate assets case for amassing assets during his tenure as minister for Mines and Minerals in 2006–2011 DMK Government.[11][12] On 21 December 2023, he and his wife were sentenced to three years imprisonment as well as to a fine of ₹50 lakhs each by the Madras High Court. The court stayed the sentence imposed on them to appeal before the Supreme Court for 30 days. As a result, Ponmudi was disqualified as an MLA and minister as per Representation of the People Act, 1951.[13][14]
Electoral results
edit| Elections | Constituency | Party | Result | Vote % | Opposition Candidate |
Opposition Party |
Opposition Vote % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Villupuram | DMK | Won | 47.18 | ABDUL LATHEEF S | INC | 23.39[15] |
| 1991 | Lost | 33.37 | D. JANAARDHANAN | ADMK | 48.82[16] | ||
| 1996 | Won | 58.24 | PANNEERSELVAM, S.S. | ADMK | 25.90[17] | ||
| 2001 | Won | 47.45 | R.PASUPATHY | PMK | 45.86[18] | ||
| 2006 | Won | 46.87 | PASUPATHY.R | ADMK | 40.56[19] | ||
| 2011 | Lost | 45.19 | C. V. Shanmugam | ADMK | 52.18[20][21] | ||
| 2016 | Tirukkoyilur | Won | 49.80 | GOTHANDARAMAN G | ADMK | 37.44[22] | |
| 2021 | Won | 56.56 | VAT.KALIVARADHAN | BJP | 26.14[23] |
References
edit- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Political heirs on the horizon | Chennai News - Times of India". The Times of India.
- ^ "Council of Ministers | Tamil Nadu Government Portal". 7 August 2022. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu minister K Ponmudy and wife sentenced to 3 years in jail in disproportionate assets case". The Indian Express. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Radhakrishnan, R. K. (21 December 2023). "DMK Minister Ponmudi sentenced in disproportionate assets case". Frontline. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Council of Ministers, Tamil Nadu, India". Archived from the original on 9 December 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
- ^ "Welcome to Annamalai University". Archived from the original on 19 November 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
- ^ "Tamil University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India". Archived from the original on 7 January 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
- ^ K. Ponmudy profile at TN government website
- ^ "::Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University::". Tnteu.in. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
- ^ "Madras HC sets aside trial court order acquitting DMK Minister K Ponmudi in disproportionate assets case". newindianexpress. 19 December 2023.
- ^ "Madras HC Overturns Acquittal, Convicts DMK Minister K Ponmudi In Disproportionate Assets Case". abplive. 19 December 2023.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu minister K Ponmudy and wife sentenced to 3 years in jail in disproportionate assets case". The Indian Express. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ "DMK Minister Ponmudi sentenced in disproportionate assets case". Frontline. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 1989 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TAMIL NADU".
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 1991 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TAMIL NADU".
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 1996 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TAMIL NADU".
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 2001 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TAMIL NADU".
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 2006 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TAMIL NADU".
- ^ "STATISTICAL REPORT ON GENERAL ELECTION, 2011 TO THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF TAMIL NADU".
- ^ Detailes Result 2011, Aseembly Election Tamil Nadu (PDF). Election Commission of Tamil Nadu (Report). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu General Legislative Election 2016, Election Commission of India".
- ^ "Election Commission of India". results.eci.gov.in. Retrieved 1 July 2021.