Udhayanidhi Stalin Becomes Tamil Nadu Deputy CM

Tamil Nadu is witnessing another ‘son rise’ as Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of Chief Minister MK Stalin, has been appointed as the state’s new Deputy Chief Minister. Udhayanidhi’s elevation had been speculated for a while, but it was delayed due to several controversies and crises, including BJP’s attack on him over his ‘Sanatana Dharma’ remarks.

His promotion was further delayed by the arrest of senior DMK leader Senthil Balaji by the Enforcement Directorate. However, with Balaji now out on bail, Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced a reshuffle in his cabinet, giving Udhayanidhi the role of Deputy Chief Minister.

DMK spokesperson Salem Dharanidharan welcomed the decision, stating that Udhayanidhi had put Tamil Nadu on the global map as Sports Minister, particularly with events like the Chess Olympiad. On the other hand, the opposition AIADMK criticized the move, calling it a symbol of dynastic rule under the guise of democracy.

Despite facing criticism, Udhayanidhi has already played a significant role in the cabinet, overseeing not just sports but also special program implementations. His role as Deputy CM will come with new challenges, including facing opposition leaders like Edappadi K Palanisamy and public figures like YouTubers Savukku Shankar.

As speculation grows that Udhayanidhi may lead DMK after the 2026 Assembly elections, it remains to be seen whether he can follow in his father’s footsteps and solidify his position as a future leader.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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