Chennai: Udhayanidhi Stalin, the 45-year-old son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of the state.
His appointment is a part of a broader cabinet reshuffle by the Chief Minister.
Political analysts opined that the elevation of Udhayanidhi, announced by Raj Bhavan, indicates a key step in the leadership consolidation process within the ruling DMK party.
The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to be held on September 29 at the Raj Bhavan in Chennai.
Udhayanidhi, a first-time MLA from the Chepauk constituency, has earlier held the portfolio of Youth Welfare and Sports Development in the state government.
Udhayanidhi’s controversial remark
The move, which was initially intended to take place prior to Stalin’s trip to the US last month, was postponed. According to reports, the DMK’s 75th-anniversary celebrations in Chennai was seen as an appropriate time by the party leaders for the official announcement.
Udhayanidhi Stalin had last year courted controversy with his comments on Sanatana Dharma. This led the BJP labelling the DMK as an “anti-Hindu” party.
In September last year, Udhayanidhi had stated that the Sanatana Dharma should be eradicated.
Despite the backlash, the leader—who is also the DMK youth wing secretary—said he would the cases legally.
Opposition reacts
Meanwhile, the BJP and the AIADMK have criticised his appointment Udhayanidhi as the deputy CM.
“Udhayanidhi Stalin will become deputy chief minister, that means one more son will rise in Tamil Nadu politics. First Karunanidhi, then Stalin and after him, Udhayanidhi. This is the case with the entire INDI alliance. There are only two pillars of INDI alliance, one is family and the other is corruption,” BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala told the ANI.
AIADMK leader Kovai Sathyan said the move would mark “the end of DMK” in the next Assembly elections in 2026.
Return of Senthil Balaji
The reshuffle also brings Senthil Balaji—who was recently released from the prison— back to the state cabinet. Balaji will resume the portfolios he held prior to his resignation. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection to a job scam and money laundering case.