Chennai: Dismissing as “handiwork of political opponents whose job is to spread rumours” reports that his son Udhayanidhi will be elevated as his deputy in the government, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday exhorted the DMK cadre not to believe in such speculation and instead focus on making the January 21 Youth Wing Conference a “grand success.”
In a letter to party cadres, Stalin said the DMK dispensation has distributed Rs 6,000 as one-time relief to people affected by recent floods in the state despite the Union government not heeding to the request of the state government to disburse more funds.
“Despite dire financial status of the state, I didn’t overlook the demands to disburse Rs 1,000 as a Pongal gift to people. We also ensured that women beneficiaries get their monthly amount of Rs 1,000 on January 10 instead of January 15,” Stalin added.
The CM also said while the Youth Wing was preparing to hold its state-wide conference in Salem on January 21, people “who make a living by spreading rumours about political opponents” spread fake news about his health.
“After I spoke at an event on Friday dispelling rumours about my health, they began spreading another rumour that deputy chief minister post will be given (to Udhayanidhi). Responding to a question, Udhayanidhi himself said all ministers are working as deputies to the chief minister,” Stalin added.
He further asked DMK cadres not to “worry about the rumours” and make the event whose goal is to save India a grand success. Stalin’s public statements put to rest speculation about Udhayanidhi’s elevation in the government ahead of the youth wing conference.
Udhayanidhi, currently the Sports Minister in M K Stalin's cabinet, is already the de-facto no 2 of the DMK dispensation. In the last two weeks, he stood for Stalin by inaugurating two key events – Book fair and Tamil diaspora conference – amid speculation that the chief minister was unwell.
Published 13 January 2024, 10:49 IST