List of deputy chief ministers of Tamil Nadu (original) (raw)

The Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is the deputy to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, who is head of the government of Tamil Nadu. The deputy chief minister is the second highest ranking member of the Tamil Nadu Council of Ministers. A deputy chief minister also holds a cabinet portfolio in the state ministry. In the legislative assembly system of government, the chief minister is treated as the "first among equals" in the cabinet; the position of deputy chief minister is used to govern the state with the support of a single party member or to bring political stability and strength within a coalition government, or in times of state emergency, when a proper chain of command is necessary. On multiple occasions, proposals have arisen to make the post permanent, but without result. The s