NEW DELHI: A section of leaders in DMK want Udhayanidhi Stalin to be appointed deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu, amidst concerns about M.K. Stalin’s health issues.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DMK) party is going through a churn as a section of leaders backing Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is also the son of the Tamil Nadu chief minister M. K. Stalin, want his ascension in the government and demand his appointment as the deputy chief minister.
The junior Stalin’s succession has been a talking point since he was appointed as the minister for youth welfare and sports development in 2022. Yet, according to sources, it is the chief minister’s health issues since January that is stirring the pot.
However, according to party insiders, there is a resistance from senior leaders within the party who do not want his elevation as the second-in-command in the administration and in DMK. A source said, “There are some senior leaders who have their influence beyond their constituencies and exercise a say in M. K. Stalin administration, and also find themselves directly connected with M. K. Stalin. However, with the rise of Udhayanidhi in the administration, they think their prospects in the party will get diminished as the younger Stalin will bring up his own team of young leaders into action and eventually start asserting themselves at the cost of senior leaders.”
A legislator in Tamil Nadu said, “Whatever happens, the leaders in the party will accept it eventually. Because no matter how many differences leaders will have within the party, they stand strong with each other and follow the party chief. It is also because they know their interests and their future is secure holding onto each other, as the Opposition in the state has become very weak. In Lok Sabha elections, we got to see it when they (AIADMK) couldn’t even win a single seat. Therefore if there are some senior leaders who may not be happy with the decision, they will have to fall in line.”
Responding to a question on the growing demand within the party to elevate his son Udhayanidhi, Stalin had replied, “Though demand is getting stronger (to elevate Udhayanidhi), the time is not ripe.” Sources suggest that there is an understanding among top leaders of the party that he would be appointed as the deputy chief minister before the end of 2024 and start managing the greater affairs of the party.
The important thing, according to a political expert in Tamil Nadu, is to maintain the stability of the party, for which a cohesive force is very important. He added, “Currently, it is M. K. Stalin (71 years old) but if in case his political activities get reduced in coming time, it will also reduce the connect with the rank and file which could shake the equilibrium of the party. Therefore, the party is preparing for a smooth transition of leadership and for that, they will have to project him the successive leader.”
Notably, Tamil Nadu currently does not have the post of deputy chief minister like some states such as Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Telangana and others. Although last time such a position was temporarily created for O Panneerselvam in 2017. Before Panneerselvam, Stalin had served as deputy chief minister in 2009 when the late M Karunanidhi was chief minister. However, neither of them held the position for a full term.