In a major political development, Tamil Nadu’s Sports Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of Chief Minister MK Stalin, has been elevated to the position of Deputy Chief Minister. This move comes as part of a cabinet reshuffle, with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party strategizing for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections. The promotion of Udhayanidhi, a rising star within the DMK, has been fueled by growing calls from within the party for his ascension to a higher position.
At 46 years old, Udhayanidhi is widely regarded as a potential future Chief Minister, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, the late M. Karunanidhi, a legendary figure in Tamil Nadu politics. This elevation signals a clear intent to groom him for a larger leadership role within the party.
The cabinet reshuffle also saw the return of V Senthil Balaji to the council of ministers. He was recently granted bail in a money laundering case just two days prior to his reappointment.
The ceremony for the swearing-in of both Udhayanidhi as Deputy Chief Minister and Senthil Balaji as Minister took place at Raj Bhawan, the Governor’s residence, signifying the formalization of their new roles within the Tamil Nadu government. These developments are sure to have a significant impact on the political landscape of Tamil Nadu in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.
