Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 28 : Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Udhayanidhi is currently serving as the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development. He will also take on the portfolio of Planning and Development in addition to his existing responsibilities.
The announcement comes as part of a major cabinet reshuffle in the state government. The reshuffle also sees Senthil Balaji being re-inducted into the Tamil Nadu cabinet.
CM Stalin has recommended inducting V Senthil Balaji, Dr Govi Chezhiaan, R Rajendran, and SM Nasar into the Council of Ministers.
"The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has recommended to the Governor of Tamil Nadu to allot the portfolio of planning and development to Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, in addition to his existing portfolios and be designated as Deputy Chief Minister. Further the Chief Minister has recommended to induct V.Senthilbalaji, Dr. Govi. Chezhiaan, R.Rajendran and S.M.Nasar in the Council of Ministers," the Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan release stated.
Meanwhile, the Governor has approved the recommendations and the swearing-in ceremony will be held on September 29 at 3.30 pm at Raj Bhavan, Chennai.
"The Governor has also approved the recommendation of Chief Minister to drop Thiru T. Mano Thangaraj, Minister for Milk and Dairy Development, Thiru Gingee K.S.Masthan, Minister for Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare; and Thiru K. Ramachandran, Minister for Tourism, from the Council of Ministers," the release stated.
Earlier on September 26, Senthil Balaji walked out of Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai after the Supreme Court granted him bail in a money laundering case linked to the cash-for-jobs scam.
Balaji was arrested by the ED on June 14 last year and has been in judicial custody since then.