Amidst rampant speculation regarding the elevation of Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin to the position of Deputy Chief Minister, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has definitively stated that the time is not yet opportune for such a move. The clarification was given by Stalin in response to inquiries from reporters in Kolathur on Monday.
Rumors about Udhayanidhi’s potential promotion have been swirling for several months, particularly gaining traction as Stalin’s upcoming trip to the United States in late August to attract investments approached. While Udhayanidhi himself has repeatedly emphasized that all ministers effectively serve as deputies to the Chief Minister and that the decision regarding his elevation rests solely with his father, these speculations have persisted.
The initial murmurings about Udhayanidhi’s potential ascension to the Deputy CM position began early in 2023, a couple of months after he assumed the role of Sports Minister. These speculations intensified before Stalin’s trip to Spain in January and February of this year. However, DMK sources at that time clarified that Udhayanidhi would not be appointed Deputy CM prior to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Nonetheless, the speculations reignited after the June election results.
Despite the consistent denials and clarifications, the buzz surrounding Udhayanidhi’s potential elevation has not abated, highlighting the constant scrutiny surrounding the political dynamics within the ruling DMK party.
