The DMK government in Tamil Nadu is set to elevate Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Chief Minister MK Stalin, as the Deputy Chief Minister of the state. The move will likely be given effect ahead of CM Stalin’s scheduled trip to the United States on August 22, The Indian Express reported citing top sources in the state government.
As per the IE report, the promotion, which mirrors the elevation of CM Stalin as the Deputy CM following the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, was pushed by Udhayanidhi in a bid to gain larger acceptance in the party and ease the load borne by his father, the DMK leader said. According to one minister IE spoke to, the position was not imposed on Udhayanidhi but requested by him on the contrary.
“This move will help groom Udhayanidhi with significant responsibilities,” a senior minister told IE, adding that it was necessary keeping in mind the Assembly elections due to be held in the state in 2026.
The development comes ahead of a cabinet reshuffle based on the performance of ministers. The promotion for Udhayanidhi, who currently handles the Youth Welfare and Sports Development portfolio, will allow him to play a more prominent role in the Assembly elections.
Udhayanidhi, 46, currently represents the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni Assembly seat. He owns a film company called Red Giants which has a significant stake in the production and distribution of Tamil and other South Indian films.
Udhayanidhi was in the thick of controversy ahead of the Lok Sabha elections over his remarks on Sanatan. The issue was prominently played up by the BJP during the Lok Sabha polls but fell flat in the state. The DMK, which is part of the INDIA bloc, cumulatively bagged all 39 seats in the state along with the Congress. This was their second sweep in the state after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.