"CM will decide": TN Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin over speculation on Dy CM post

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 18 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin dismissed the speculation regarding his elevation as Deputy Chief Minister.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Udhayanidhi said that such decisions will be taken by the Chief Minister and asked the media to not do it on his behalf.
On the Deputy CM post, Udhayanidhi asked, "Who said like that?"
"CM will take the decision, and you don't take a decision on it. All ministers are and will be with CM. You have to ask the CM. It is totally CM's right to decide about it," he added.
Earlier too, Udhayanidhi chose to play down speculation on him becoming the Depty CM, saying, "Whatever post, according to me, the youth wing secretary post is my favourite."
"There are many news reports on the Deputy CM elevation. I have said to the press before that all ministers in our government are Deputy Chief Ministers," he told reporters in July.
On the Deputy CM speculations, AIADMK Spokesperson Kovai Sathyan alleged that the elevation would mean the "end of DMK."
"The elevation of Udhayanidhi Stalin as Deputy Chief Minister signals and marks the end of DMK in Tamil Nadu. In the upcoming assembly elections in 2026, DMK is all set to split into different factions, with a couple of seniors going to revolt against this decision. Before the elections, he (MK Stalin) said neither his son-in-law nor his son would venture into politics now. His son was given a ticket as MLA, then made a minister, and is now being elevated as a Deputy CM and all the plans to show him as the face of the CM candidate for the 2026 assembly elections," Kovai Sathyan said in a self-made video on Wednesday.
Earlier on September 2, Udhayanidhi Stalin had come in for effusive praise from the Tamil Nadu chief minister for the successful conduct of India's first F4 Night Street Car Race in Chennai. In a post on X Stalin said a huge applause should be given to Udhayanidhi and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu for making the F4 car race a "roaring success." (ANI)