After widespread reports that Udhayanidhi Stalin would soon be elevated to the position of Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister MK Stalin has issued a statement dismissing it. In a statement, the CM said, “After one lie was broken and shattered, another rumour has begun that the posting of deputy chief minister is set to be awarded. The DMK’s Youth Wing secretary and Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development Udhayanidhi has already shut the mouths of those spreading rumours by saying, ‘all ministers are deputies to the chief minister’,” he said. 

Many reports had claimed that the announcement of the elevation would be made after the DMK’s youth wing meeting set to take place on January 21 in Salem and before Udhayanidhi’s upcoming visit abroad. 

Stalin further added, “No party cadre should give space to those attempting to divert attention from the objective of the youth wing meeting which is state rights. The Salem meeting’s focus is on protecting state rights and establishing the idea of the INDIA Alliance. Those who are enemies of these objectives are the people spreading such a rumour.”

Though Stalin has denied the rumours that there would be any immediate changes made, the elevation was discussed by the DMK as TheNewsMinute reported in its newsletter Powertrip. Sources had however said that it may not happen before the general elections. 

It may be noted that Tamil Nadu currently does not have the post of deputy chief minister like some states such as Karnataka, Rajasthan and others. The last time such a position was temporarily created was for O Paneerselvam in 2017. Previously, Stalin had served as deputy CM in 2009 when the late M Karunanidhi was chief minister. However, neither of them held the position for a full term. 

The youth wing conference was previously set to take place in Salem on December 17, but had to be postponed due to the aftermath of the Michaung Cyclone. It was then scheduled for December 24, but was again postponed as Udhayanidhi was overseeing relief operations in flood-hit areas in southern Tamil Nadu.