Mean though popular minister (6)
I believe the answer is:
intend
'mean' is the definition.
('intend' can be a synonym of 'mean')
'popular minister' is the wordplay.
'popular' becomes 'in'.
'minister' becomes 'tend' (I've seen this before).
'in'+'tend'='INTEND'
'though' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for intend that I've seen before include "1 dn [DESIGN]" , "Mean; aim" , "Aim, plan" , "Mean - purpose" , "Tinned (anag.)" .)