Udhayanidhi Stalin Elevated As Tamil Nadu Deputy CM, Senthil Balaji Re-Inducted Into State Cabinet; BJP Slams 'Son Rise'

In a significant political development, 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.

This appointment was part of a broader cabinet reshuffle by Chief Minister Stalin.

The decision to appoint Udhayanidhi as Deputy CM, announced by Raj Bhavan, signals a key step in the leadership consolidation process within the ruling DMK.

The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 29 September at Raj Bhavan, Chennai.

Udhayanidhi, who is a first-time MLA representing the Chepauk constituency, has held the portfolio of Youth Welfare and Sports Development in the Tamil Nadu government.

The move, initially intended to take place prior to Stalin’s trip to the United States in late August, was postponed due to various reasons.

However, following the DMK’s 75th-anniversary celebrations in Chennai, party leaders reportedly determined the timing was now appropriate for the official announcement.

Udhayanidhi Stalin had last year courted controversy with his comments on Sanatana Dharma, which led to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) labelling the DMK as an “anti-Hindu” party.

In September last year, Udhayanidhi Stalin stated that Sanatana Dharma should be eradicated.

Despite the backlash that followed, the DMK youth wing secretary stuck to his stance and said he will face the cases legally.

Meanwhile, the BJP and the AIADMK criticised the appointment Udhayanidhi Stalin as the deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said, “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."

Similarly, AIADMK leader Kovai Sathyan also criticised the move and said that it would mark "the end of DMK" in the next Assembly elections in 2026.

"The elevation of Prince Udhayanidhi as deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu marks the end of DMK in the 2026 Assembly elections. This clearly exposes how big a liar Chief Minister MK Stalin is," he said.

The reshuffle also brings Senthil Balaji back into the state cabinet.

Recently released from prison by the Supreme Court, Balaji will resume the portfolios he held prior to his resignation, which followed his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection to a job scam and money laundering case.

His reinstatement is viewed as a key strategic move for the DMK as he will reportedly be given the complete responsibility of Western Tamil Nadu districts.

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