[8][9] Starting in late 2016, several charges of irregular practices were levelled against the four provincial ministers for Northern Province.

[13][14] Kurukularajah had been accused of irregular transfer of teachers by overruling the ministry secretary and causing the deterioration of the standard of education in the province.

[16][17] Kurukularajah denied the charges but decided to temporarily step down as minister on 13 June 2017, conveying his resignation to his party, the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK).

[18] However, ITAK leader Mavai Senathirajah refused to accept Kurukularajah's resignation.

[19][20] On 14 June 2017 a motion of no confidence against Vigneswaran was handed to Governor Reginald Cooray by several ITAK and opposition members of the NPC.