Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin initiated a Cabinet reshuffle this week — elevating his son Udhayanidhi to the role of Deputy CM. The revamp was approved by Governor RN Ravi on Saturday and will also see V Senthil Balaji return to the council of ministers. Three existing ministers have been dropped from the state Cabinet.
An official release from the Raj Bhavan indicated that Governor RN Ravi had also greenlit the appointment of Udhayanidhi Stalin as the planning and development minister (alongside his existing portfolios). He will take oath alongside the new Cabinet members on Sunday afternoon.
CM Stalin had also recommended the induction of Govi Chezhiaan, R Rajendran, and SM Nasar into the Council of Ministers.
Meanwhile Senthil Balaji is slated to return as a Tamil Nadu minister – two days after he walked out of Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai. The Supreme Court granted the DMK lawmaker bail in a money laundering case linked to the cash-for-jobs scam.
“The case which was initiated against me was a fake case and was just a political vendetta. I will overcome and win this fake case legally by facing court. I am obliged to DMK President and TN CM MK Stalin and DMK Youth Wing Secretary Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin,” he had told reporters.
Buzz about the elevation of Udhayanidhi Stalin has persisted for months as the Tamil Nadu Sports Minister downplayed the claims. Earlier this month the newly appointed Deputy CM had sidestepped questions by insisting that his father and the party as a whole would take a final decision on new appointments.
“There will be no disappointment; there will be change,” the CM assured on Tuesday in response to ‘Deputy CM post for Udhayanidhi’ questions.
Party cadres and office-bearers had also long anticipated a larger role for his son and DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin.
(With inputs from agencies)
