Chennai: In a significant reshuffle of the Tamil Nadu Cabinet, Udhayanidhi Stalin has been elevated to the position of Deputy Chief Minister, according to an official statement from Raj Bhavan. He will be sworn in as deputy chief minister on Sunday. 

The reshuffle also marks the return of Senthil Balaji , who has been re-inducted into the cabinet. Balaji, who previously served as the Minister for Electricity, Excise, and Prohibition, was briefly removed following an alleged money laundering case. His re-entry is seen as a strategic move by the ruling party.

Last week, 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

However, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Tha Mo Anbarasan asserted that  Udhayanidhi Stalin's elevation as Deputy Chief Minister is imminent.

Anbarasan, answering a question, told reporters at Kanchipuram near here that Udhayanidhi will be for sure announced by the government as Deputy CM within a week to 10 days. "May be, the announcement could happen tomorrow," he said answering another, related question.