Udhayanidhi Stalin likely to be made minister on December 14 in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: DMK MLA Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of chief minister and party president M K Stalin, is all set to be inducted into the Tamil Nadu cabinet in the coming week. Udhayanidhi, the party's youth wing secretary and MLA from the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni assembly constituency, is likely to be sworn in as minister on December 14, multiple sources said.
"Yes, it is confirmed. He will be sworn in as minister on December 14 this week," a DMK source privy to the development told TOI.
Known as 'Chinnavar' in the party circles, Udhayanidhi is likely to take over the portfolio of special programme implementation, at present held by his father, besides rural development, which is held by K R Periakaruppan, sources said. They also said he may be given charge of youth welfare and sports development, a portfolio at present held by Siva V Meyyanathan.
"Tamil Nadu is laying a lot of thrust on sports development and the state is set to unveil an exclusive policy for sports soon," the source added, laying thrust on the importance of this portfolio.
Ever since DMK returned to power in the state in May 2021, there have been calls from within the party, including senior leaders, openly pitching for Udhayanidhi's inclusion in the cabinet headed by his father. For his part, Udhayanidhi was citing his preoccupation with his film assignments as a reason to imply that he was in no hurry.
On Saturday, when journalists asked him about his inclusion in the cabinet soon, Udhayanidhi asked, "Who told you?".
When reporters persisted, Udhayanidhi, who was returning after handing over relief materials to those affected in the cyclone aftermath, said, "Any such decision will be taken only by the chief minister." TNN