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Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, CM MK Stalin and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin along with state ministers at Raj Bhavan after the swearing-in ceremony of newly inducted ministers. (Image: ANI)
MK Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi has been appointed as the deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu. He is the third generation leader in his family to hold important roles in the Tamil Nadu government.
Four Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leaders were sworn in as ministers in the Tamil Nadu government on Sunday at the Raj Bhavan as part of a cabinet reshuffle in Chief Minister MK Stalin’s team. Senthil Balaji, who was recently granted bail in a money-laundering case related to the cash-for-job scam, was reinstated as minister and sworn in.
Three other MLAs – Govi Chezhian, SM Nasar and KS Masthan – were also sworn in at a low-key ceremony at the Raj Bhavan in Chennai. Governor RN Ravi administered the oath of office to the new ministers.
Udhayanidhi Stalin became Deputy CM
MK Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi has been appointed as the deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu. He is the third generation leader in his family to get a prominent role in the Tamil Nadu government after his grandfather and DMK veteran late M Karunanidhi and his father MK Stalin. The DMK patriarch was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for several terms and his son MK Stalin became the Chief Minister in 2021.
நுர்பும்கிக்கு தமிழ் நாட்டிச்சு வைப்ப்புக்க்குச்சு @mkstalin অন্য়া, বুডুকেলেলাল্লার – treasurer and ম্ন্বুম্মিকু মিনিরিল্ল নিতিদি জ্তু প্র্র্মাম্ম. pic.twitter.com/x7InLzXoNc
— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) September 28, 2024
The ruling DMK’s rank and file have been pushing for Udhayanidhi’s elevation in the 2026 Assembly polls, which the party is keen to win and retain power in the state.
The 46-year-old leader is the country’s third Deputy Chief Minister after his father Stalin and AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam (OPS). He was not sworn in today’s ceremony because he is already a minister in the state government.
According to a press statement released by the Raj Bhavan on Saturday, Udhayanidhi, who is currently the Sports and Youth Welfare minister, was also given the additional portfolio of Planning and Development, and was appointed Deputy Chief Minister of the state.
Senthil Balaji is back as a minister
DMK leader Balaji, who spent 15 months in jail in a money laundering case before the Supreme Court granted him bail earlier this week, was reinstated as a minister in the cabinet.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Balaji, the Minister for Electricity and Excise and Prohibition, in June last year in a money laundering case related to the cash-for-job scam.
The governor had removed Balaji, but he quickly backed down. However, Balaji, who was a minister without portfolio, resigned in February this year which was accepted by the Governor.
cabinet reshuffle
On Saturday, the Governor approved Stalin’s recommendation on the release of T Mano Thangaraj holding the Milk and Dairy Development portfolio, Minority Welfare Minister Gingee S Masthan and K Ramachandran (Tourism).
On the recommendation of Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, Governor RN Ravi has approved the portfolios given to newly inducted ministers V Senthilbalaji, Dr Govi Chezhiaan, R Rajendran and SM Nasar. pic.twitter.com/amfZtquSkB— ANI (@ANI) September 29, 2024
The Minister of Higher Education, Dr K Ponmudy, is currently the Minister of Forestry. Environment Minister Siva V Meyyanathan is the Backward Classes Minister while Dr M Mathiventhan, currently holding the Forests portfolio, has been given Adi Dravidar Welfare. Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu has been given the additional portfolio of Environment and Climate Change. RS Rajakannappan, holding the portfolio of Welfare of Backward Classes, is the Minister for Dairy Development and Milk and Khadi.
(With input from agencies)
