Chennai, Dec 14 (FN Agency) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and ruling DMKPresident M.K.Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi Stalin was on Wednesdays worn in as the 35th Minister in State Cabinet. At a brief function held at the Raj Bhavan, Governor R.N.Raviadministered the oath of office and secrecy to 45-year-old Udhayanidhi Stalin, who was elected to the State Assemblyfrom the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Constituency in the city–fromwhere his grandfather and former CM M.Karunanidhi waselected thrice–in his maiden entry into the electoral politicsin the May 2021 polls. Chief Minister, his Cabinet Colleagues and senior leaders ofthe party were present at the swearing-in ceremony held atthe Durbar Hall in Raj Bhavan.After being sworn in as a Minister and after exchanging pleasantrieswith the Governor and the Chief Minister, Udhayanidhi was greetedby senior Ministers. Udhayanidhi was allocated the portfolios of Youth Welfare and Sports Development and Special Programme Implementation Departmentand Poverty Alleviation programme and Rural indebtedness.In a tweet, Udhayanidhi said he considered his induction into the State Cabinet as a responsibility and not a post.
He thanked his father for providing him an opportunity to be part of theCabinet of the Dravidiain model government and implement the socialjustice schemes under the stewardship of CM Stalin and safeguardthe rights of the Tamil people.In his first interaction with the media after becoming Minister, he said he has plans to make Tamil Nadu, the sports capital of India. Responding to critics of dynastic politics, he said “criticisms will keepcoming, I was criticised right from the day I was made youth wingsecretary of DMK”. He said he will keep working hard and wanted to make Tamil Nadu thesports capital of India. He also said he has plans to construct mini stadiums in all the Assemblyconstituencies in the state for the development of sports on par withinternational standards. To a question, Udhayanidhi, a popular Tamil film actor and film producer, said he would stop acting as he has now become a Minister. “Maamannan”, which went on floors a couple of months ago, will be mylast movie.
Since I have become Minister I could not be part of the moviesigned with actor-politician Kamal Haasan. He was the first person to wishme for becoming the Minister” Udhayanidhi said. Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth and actor Kamal Haasan took to twitter andextended their hearty congratulations for their young brother Udhayanidhion his induction into the Cabinet. After seeking the blessings of his parents and paying tributes at the memorialsof his grandfather and former Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi and DMK Founder C.N.Annadurai on the Marina beach front, he went to the State Secretariat andassumed charge as Minister. After assuming charge, he signed three files–holding sports events in the nameof Chief Minister’s Trophy, payment of Rs 6,000 monthly pension to indigentsportspersons and providing enhanced incentive to young shooter Nivedita, whowon the Silver medal in the 25 m Standard Pistol event in the Junior World Championship held at Lima.