The move comes at a time Stalin’s health has been a matter of concern to DMK. Udhayanidhi is being elevated ahead of 2026 assembly polls.
Published Jul 18, 2024 | 7:28 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 18, 2024 | 10:31 PM
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi
In a sooner-than-expected move, Tamil Nadu youth welfare and sports development minister and the son of Chief Minister MK Stalin, Udhayanidhi Stalin is set to be elevated as the state’s Deputy Chief Minister.
While the announcement is yet to be made official, DMK sources told South First that the first-time minister in MK Stalin’s cabinet and a well-known actor in Tamil film industry is all set to be the new Deputy CM of Tamil Nadu. The move comes just before MK Stalin is set to leave the country for a medical procedure. DMK sources told South First that the decision to elevate Udhayanidhi was conveyed to cabinet ministers at an informal breakfast meeting on Wednesday, 17 July.
Udhayanidhi will supposedly be appointed the Dy CM before the end of August when Stalin is set to leave India for his treatment, if not sooner. But sources also told South First that the official announcement might happen as early as next week. Due to his health condition, Stalin has decided to appoint Udhayanidhi as Dy CM to ease his ‘burden’, according to DMK sources.
His popularity as an actor and the DMK cadre’s affection for him are said to be the reasons for this development and the intention is to ease the burden on the CM, due to his health condition.
Udhayanidhi Stalin faced severe criticisms of nepotism when he was first sworn-in as minister. The move to make him Deputy CM is likely to be met with similar reactions, albeit not within the party.
This move has cleared all doubts on DMK’s future leadership even as his aunt and MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, among other relatives, holding prominent posts and or having been in politics for a few decades.
The move to make Udhayanidhi the Deputy CM also reminds one of when MK Stalin was appointed the Dy CM in the late Karunanidhi cabinet. However, Stalin became the minister in the DMK-led government only during his fourth term as an MLA and he was appointed the deputy CM in 2009. He was in his 50s before securing a ministerial position.
But, will the elevation of a first time minister, particularly one who hasn’t been active in politics for a long time, cause disappointment to other party leaders who have been ministers and active politicians for a long time? DMK sources told South First that there are no contenders or challengers to Udhayanidhi.
Sources also said that the decision will not be opposed by party leaders due to Udhayanidhi being a close confidante of his father and his popularity among the youngsters as a leader. His fierce campaign across Tamil Nadu is said to be one of the key factors that helped DMK secure a major victory in the last Assembly elections.
It is also important to note that this move comes ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections in the state, in which actor Vijay has announced his intention to contest in the elections. Though Udhayanidhi established himself as an actor recently compared to the ‘Ilaya Thalapathy’, the DMK leader has the strength of DMK behind him.
Interestingly, in January this year, Stalin had dismissed as rumors when news about Udhayanidhi being appointed as the deputy started doing the rounds.
During the Assembly elections in 2021, Udhayanidhi won from the Chepauk- Thiruvallikeni constituency. Udhayanidhi served as DMK’s youth wing secretary before contesting the elections, like his father and CM Stalin.
(Edited by Neena)
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