CHENNAI: In response to increasing calls for his promotion within the party, Udhayanidhi Stalin, the secretary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Youth Wing, Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, and film actor, has been appointed as Tamil Nadu’s Deputy Chief Minister by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during the much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle on Saturday. This reshuffle also marked the return of V. Senthil Balaji to the council of ministers just two days after he was granted bail in a money laundering case.

The grassroots members of the ruling DMK have been advocating for 46-year-old Udhayanidhi's promotion, particularly with the 2026 assembly elections in sight, as the party aims to secure and maintain its power in the state. Saturday represented another “son rise” moment within the Dravidian party, as many enthusiastic DMK leaders and supporters are already considering Udhayanidhi a potential future Chief Minister, succeeding his father. His grandfather, the late M. Karunanidhi, previously served as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

As stated in a release from Raj Bhavan, Chief Minister Stalin "recommended to the Governor of Tamil Nadu (Ravi) to assign the portfolio of Planning and Development to Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, minister for youth welfare and sports development, in addition to his current responsibilities, and to designate him as the deputy chief minister."

Udhayanidhi has not only produced and distributed several Tamil films featuring prominent stars like Kamal Haasan and Vijay, but he also serves as the chief of the DMK’s youth wing. He has starred as the lead in various Tamil movies, including the popular film Oru Kal Oru Kannadi.

Additionally, the reshuffle prominently featured Senthil Balaji's return. Following his release from jail on Thursday, speculation had been rampant regarding his reinstatement in the Stalin-led ministry amidst the reshuffle.