CHENNAI: DMK's much-hyped Youth Wing conference is scheduled to take place on January 21 in Salem.

The DMK leadership announced on Saturday that the second State conference of the DMK youth wing, which was deferred due to Cyclone Michaung and floods in the southern districts, would be held at Salem on January 21.

Originally scheduled for December 17, it was deferred to December 24 after cyclone Michaung ravaged the state headquarters and three adjoining districts in the first week of December 2023. However, nature foiled the ruling party's attempts to organize it again when torrential rains devastated Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, and Kanyakumari districts, forcing the party to indefinitely postpone the conference.

This conference carries weight as it comes at a time when the parliamentary election is less than six months and talks are thick in the political circle that minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is also DMK's Youth Wing chief, would be elevated as TN's deputy Chief Minister.

The expectation surrounding the State conference was heightened by speculation that the conference could set the tone for the elevation of State Sports Minister and DMK youth wing secretary, Udhayanidhi Stalin.

Speculation is rife in the political circles that Udhayanidhi could be 'appointed' deputy CM, the same way his father took over the reins of the party-run government in the 2006-11 tenure.

The State conference has also been timed to offer momentum to the DMK's active campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

(With inputs from Bureau)