Speculations do rounds in Tamil Nadu that Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports, Udhayanidhi Stalin, is likely to be elevated as the deputy Chief Minister. These speculations appeared after Raja Kannappan, the State's Backward Classes Welfare Minister, referred to him as the deputy Chief Minister during a public function at Ramanathapuram on Friday.
Though Kannappan quickly retracted the slip and said Udhayanidhi might only officially be the Deputy CM after August 19, the slip has only added to the speculation that Udhayanidhi may get an elevation soon.
According to earlier reports, Chief Minister Stalin is likely to induct his son as Deputy Chief Minister before leaving for the US on August 22. The Chief Minister is visiting the US to woo American investments for Tamil Nadu.
Though Udhayanidhi sought to play down the speculation, Chief Minister Stalin told the CM clearly that the time for Udhayanidhi's elevation was not quite right. While accepting that there is strong internal pressure within the party for promoting Udhayanidhi, he said a decision would have to wait.
With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections likely in 2026, CM Stalin knows full well how urgent this move comes, and therefore, he has every reason to break a sweat in prepping Udhayanidhi for the top position. Having already proved his mettle in politics, Udhayanidhi actively campaigned all over Tamil Nadu during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He visited 121 places in 39 constituencies and clearly turned out to be one of the top-rated leaders of the DMK.
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