In a latest development, Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of MK Stalin has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He will serve as deputy to his father, who holds the office of chief minister. His swearing-in ceremony will be held on Sunday at 3:30 pm at Raj Bhawan.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday announced the elevation of his son and DMK youth wing leader Udhayanidhi Stalin as the deputy chief minister hours after the DMK’s 75th platinum jubilee celebrations at Kancheepuram district near Chennai.
A press release from Governor R.N. Ravi said that CM Stalin has recommended Udhayanidhi Stalin, currently, the minister for youth welfare and sports development, be assigned the planning and development portfolio in addition to his existing responsibilities and be designated as deputy chief minister.
The Governor has approved the recommendations. The swearing-in ceremony of the ministers-designate will be held on Sunday at 3.30 pm in Raj Bhavan. Apart from Udhayanidhi, MK Stalin has recommended the induction of V Senthil Balaji, Dr Govi Chezhiaan, R Rajendran and SM Nasar into the Council of Ministers.
Udhayanidhi has also been given the additional portfolio of planning and development which was held by Stalin himself. DMK’s Karur district secretary Senthil Balaji, who recently got bail after 471 days incarceration in a cash-for-job scam case has been re-inducted into the cabinet.
One of the party seniors K. Ponmudy has been shifted from Higher Education, which goes to newcomer Chezhian, while Rajakannappan has been moved to dairy development, held by Mano Thangaraj.
Three ministers- Gingee Masthan, K. Ramachandran and Mano Thangaraj have been dropped from the cabinet. This is the fifth cabinet reshuffle since Stalin took over as the chief minister in 2021. While there have been several criticisms against a few of the senior ministers like K.N. Sources say that the present reshuffle will ensure that the ministers’ performance will help the DMK retain power after the 2026 assembly election.
