In a significant reshuffle of the Tamil Nadu government, Chief Minister MK Stalin’s son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, has been elevated to the position of Deputy Chief Minister. The 46-year-old DMK leader, who previously served as Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, is now the third generation of his family to hold a key post in the Tamil Nadu government, following his grandfather M Karunanidhi and his father MK Stalin. Udhayanidhi did not take an oath at the ceremony today, as he was already a minister, but he congratulated the new appointees at the Raj Bhavan event.
The reshuffle also saw the reinstatement of DMK leader Senthil Balaji, who had spent 15 months in jail over a money laundering case. After being granted bail by the Supreme Court, he took the oath today and resumed his post as Minister for Electricity, Excise, and Prohibition. His return is viewed by many as a political message from the DMK to the BJP-led central government. Both Mr. Balaji and the DMK have consistently maintained that his arrest was politically motivated, and his reinstatement is seen as a defiant move by the state’s ruling party.
In addition to Udhayanidhi’s promotion and Senthil Balaji’s return, three other MLAs were inducted into the cabinet today: Govi Chezhian, SM Nasar, and R Rajendran. Govi Chezhian has taken charge of the Higher Education portfolio, SM Nasar was appointed as the new Minister for Minorities, and R Rajendran was given the Tourism portfolio.
Udhayanidhi Stalin, in a social media post earlier today, expressed his view that his new role is not merely a title but a responsibility. Before taking up his new post, he paid his respects at the memorials of his grandfather M Karunanidhi and social activist Periyar.
However, Udhayanidhi’s elevation has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition, including AIADMK and the BJP. AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan referred to Udhayanidhi as “prince” and claimed that the move marked the end of the DMK ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu state elections. Sathyan also accused MK Stalin of hypocrisy, reminding the public of his promise before the 2021 election that his son and son-in-law would not enter politics.
“This signals what we have always said—this is dynastic rule in the name of democracy. The DMK is about only one family,” Sathyan said, calling it a “black day” in Tamil Nadu politics.
Similarly, BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad criticized the DMK for prioritizing family interests over public welfare. He noted that despite being part of a political alliance, the DMK has sidelined its allies in favor of promoting Udhayanidhi Stalin.
The reinstatement of Senthil Balaji further fueled tensions, as his arrest was linked to an ongoing corruption investigation led by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). However, the DMK has consistently maintained that Balaji’s legal troubles are part of a larger political vendetta by the BJP-ruled central government.
Sources By Agencies
