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Udhayanidhi Stalin Promoted to Deputy CM The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has made significant leadership changes. Chief Minister MK Stalin's son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, has been appointed as the new deputy chief minister. This move also reintroduces former transport minister Senthil Balaji into the cabinet, just days after his bail in a money laundering case. Udhayanidhi Stalin's New Role Udhayanidhi Stalin, who has been in the spotlight for weeks, now oversees the Planning and Development ministry. This is in addition to his current role as Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development. His promotion is seen as a strategic step ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, where the DMK aims to strengthen its second-rung leadership. Senthil Balaji's Return Although it's unclear what portfolio Senthil Balaji will handle, his return marks a significant moment. After spending 15 months behind bars on money laundering charges related to a cash-for-jobs scam, he was granted bail by the Supreme Court. The court emphasized that delays in prosecution and stringent bail conditions should not coexist. Cabinet Reshuffle The reshuffle announced on Saturday saw the exit of several ministers. T Mano Thangaraj, Gingee Masthan, and K Ramachandran were dropped from their roles. Meanwhile, three new faces—Govi Chezhiaan, R Rajendran, and SM Nasar—have been brought into the cabinet. Governor RN Ravi has approved these changes, and the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Poll Strategy and Political Landscape Udhayanidhi Stalin’s elevation signals the DMK’s preparation for the 2026 elections. His growing influence in Tamil politics began during the DMK-led alliance's sweeping victory in the 2021 Assembly elections and the 2019 general elections. His promotion also aims to counter Tamil actor Vijay, who recently launched his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, and is expected to contest in the 2026 elections. Political Reactions The DMK has faced criticism for alleged dynastic politics from opposition parties like AIADMK and BJP. However, the party defended its decision, stating that Udhayanidhi is a democratically elected MLA and the chief minister has the authority to appoint his cabinet members. Udhayanidhi's Achievements as Sports Minister As the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Udhayanidhi Stalin has earned praise for elevating Chennai into a global sports hub. He played a key role in hosting major events like the Hero Asian Champions Trophy, beach volleyball, and Formula 4 Night Street Racing, bolstering Tamil Nadu’s image in international sports. for more updates follow ANN MEDIA on facebook , X , Instagram and Linkedin