Tamil Nadu CM recommends cabinet reshuffle, Udayanidhi Stalin to be designated as Deputy Chief Minister

Udhayanidhi Stalin

In a cabinet reshuffle, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has recommended key changes, including the appointment of Udhayanidhi Stalin as Deputy Chief Minister. Udhayanidhi, who already holds the portfolio for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, will now also oversee the Planning and Development ministry.

The Chief Minister also recommended the induction of V. Senthilbalaji, Dr. Govi Chezhiaan, R. Rajendran, and S.M. Nasar into the Council of Ministers. The recommendations have been approved by the Governor, and the swearing-in ceremony for the new ministers will take place on September 29 at Raj Bhavan, Chennai.

As part of the reshuffle, three ministers –T. Mano Thangaraj (Milk and Dairy Development), Gingee K.S. Masthan (Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare), and K. Ramachandran (Tourism) – will be dropped from the Council of Ministers.

The Governor has also approved changes in portfolios for existing ministers. Dr. K. Ponmudy, currently serving as Minister for Higher Education, will be reassigned as Minister for Forests.

Siva V. Meyyanathan, who is currently the Minister for Environment and Climate Change, has been given an additional role as the Minister for Backward Classes Welfare. He will now oversee portfolios related to Backward Classes Welfare, Most Backward Classes Welfare, and Denotified Communities Welfare.

N. Kayalvizhi Selvaraj, holding the position of Minister for Adi Dravidar Welfare, has been assigned an additional portfolio as Minister for Human Resources Management. In her new capacity, she will manage portfolios related to Human Resources Management and Ex-Servicemen Welfare.

Dr. M. Mathiventhan, the Minister for Forests, has been given an additional charge as the Minister for Adi Dravidar Welfare. His new portfolio includes responsibilities for Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare.

This apart, R.S. Rajakannappan, who currently serves as the Minister for Backward Classes Welfare, has been appointed as the Minister for Milk and Dairy Development. In his expanded role, he will oversee Milk and Dairy Development, Khadi, and Village Industries.

Thangam Thennarasu, the Minister for Finance and Human Resource Management, will now also take on the roles of Minister for Finance, Environment, and Climate Change. His portfolio includes the Environment, Pollution Control Board, Climate Change, as well as responsibilities in Finance and Archaeology.