Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin moves to third rank in inter-se seniority of Ministers

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin moves to third rank in inter-se seniority of Ministers

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI 01.10.2024 

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin stands third in the inter-se seniority of Ministers of the Tamil Nadu government.

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Chief Minister last week, Mr. Udhayanidhi, as Sports Minister, stood 10th on the seniority list.

His inter-se seniority follows that of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan.

His ranking is akin to that of Mr. Stalin when he was Deputy Chief Minister in his father M. Karunanidhi’s Cabinet, coming third after then Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan.

Ministers K.N. Nehru, I. Periyasamy, K. Ponmudy, E.V. Velu, M.R.K. Panneerselvam, K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, and Thangam Thennarasu are the others on the list of top 10 Ministers (in that order) in inter-se seniority.

Senthilbalaji’s rank

Newly inducted Minister R. Rajendran stands 19th in terms of seniority, ahead of his Cabinet colleague R. Sakkarapani. Re-inducted Minister V. Senthilbalaji remains 21st on the list, which he was before he resigned the Ministership in February.

Another first-time Minister, Govi. Chezhiaan, is 27th on the list, ahead of Palanivel Thiaga Rajan. Following Mr. Rajan is re-inducted Minister S.M. Nasar at the 29th spot. Mr. Nasar stood 28th in the M.K. Stalin government that assumed office in May 2021.

On September 28, the Governor appointed Mr. Udhayanidhi Deputy Chief Minister under Article 164 of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, taking part in a function organised by the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Women Development Limited on Monday, the Deputy Chief Minister distributed various awards to urban self-help groups.