Tamil Nadu: Udhayanidhi made deputy CM; Senthil Balaji back in cabinet

Ending months of speculation and drama, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has made his son Udhayanidhi his deputy.

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on Saturday (September 28) approved Chief Minister M K Stalin's recommendations for a cabinet reshuffle. The reshuffle also saw V Senthil Balaji return to the Council of Ministers, two days after the Supreme Court granted him bail in a money-laundering case.

Further, three ministers, including Mano Thangaraj, who held the Dairy Development portfolio, have been dropped. In addition to Balaji, Dr Govi Chezhiaan, R Rajendran, and S M Nasar have been inducted. Balaji resigned in February this year, months after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a cash-for-jobs scam.

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According to a Raj Bhavan release, CM Stalin "recommended to the Governor of Tamil Nadu (Ravi) to allot the portfolio of Planning and Development to Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, in addition to his existing portfolios and be designated as Deputy Chief Minister." The Governor has approved the recommendations, it said, adding, the swearing-in ceremony of the ministers designate will be held on Sunday at 3.30 pm in Raj Bhavan.

Also Read: Have you read our interview with Udhayanidhi Stalin?