Speculations have been rife in Tamil Nadu's political circles about the possible elevation of DMK leader and Sports Minister Udhayanidhi as the Deputy Chief Minister of the state in the days to come.
Sources within the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) told India Today that MK Stalin is expected to embark on a foreign trip in February, paving the way for Udhayanidhi Stalin to assume the role of his father's deputy.
The anticipated elevation is speculated to occur following the party's Youth Wing meeting scheduled in Salem on January 21.
While DMK Organisational Secretary TKS Elangovan expressed a lack of awareness regarding Udhayanidhi's appointment as Tamil Nadu's Deputy Chief Minister, he acknowledged Udhayanidhi's active involvement in the party.
Elangovan, however, asserted that the final decision lies with MK Stalin, adding, "There is nothing wrong with it, as he is very active. But whether he will become Deputy Chief Minister or not will be decided only by the Chief Minister and not others".
Meanwhile, Udhayanidhi, while speaking with India Today, downplayed the entire episode and called it to be a 'rumour'. "Only the Chief Minister has to take the decision. It is just a rumour", Udhayanidhi said.
Reacting to the reports, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) stressed that Udhayanidhi becoming a Deputy Chief Minister can't be dismissed as a rumour as it is a fact.
"This is what we have been saying since last one year. From the time he (Udhayanidhi) was given a ticket to contest in Assembly elections. Then he became a minister and now Deputy Chief Minister.
He will be the CM face in 2026 and this shows that DMK is the perfect example of 'parivarvad' in the name of democracy," AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan said.