Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has once again dismissed rumours regarding the elevation of his son, Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, to the position of Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Responding to a reporter's question about the speculation surrounding Udhayanidhi's potential promotion before the CM's US trip at the end of August, Stalin remarked that the "time was not ripe" for such an elevation.
Stalin clarified, "The demand has grown stronger; but it has not ripened," indicating that while there is increasing support within the party for Udhayanidhi's promotion, it is not yet the right time for this move, according to a report on PTI.
CM Stalin answered the press during his visit to his Kolathur Assembly constituency in order to inspect the infrastructure projects undertaken in the seat.
For a while, there has been anticipation within the party that Udhayanidhi, who currently serves as the Sports and Youth Welfare Minister and oversees the special programme implementation portfolio, will be named Deputy Chief Minister. Adding to his current roles, Udhayanidhi is also responsible for inspecting and reviewing the implementation of key projects, such as the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-2.
However, this is not the first time such rumours have surfaced. In January 2024, similar speculations were dismissed by Stalin, who issued a statement refuting the claims and addressing controversies surrounding his health. The rumours of Udhayanidhi's elevation initially began in 2023 and gained momentum after he was appointed as the Sports Minister, as per a report on The News Minute.
Recently, Udhayanidhi commented on the rumours by stating that "all ministers are deputies to the chief minister," downplaying the need for a formal deputy CM position. He also added that youth wing secretary would be the one closest to his heart.
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