Chennai:
Talks throughout the occasion had been happening for no less than three months. Seniors within the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) had initially been irritated that the first-time MLA and son of Chief Minister MK Stalin – Udhayanidhi Stalin – had been given a ministerial berth only a few months after successful the secure Chepauk seat in 2021.
However egos have been massaged and tempers calmed by Mr Stalin’s males in backroom talks with miffed seniors. As soon as everybody was onboard, Mr Stalin introduced a cupboard reshuffle, elevating his son Udhayanidhi because the Deputy Chief Minister.
“I’ve been a minister and I view this as a further duty. I welcome all criticism,” stated Udhayanidhi Stalin outdoors the DMK occasion headquarters on Sunday.
DMK leaders advised EDNBOX Revenue on situation of anonymity that this elevation was to groom the younger chief into taking up as Chief Minister when the time got here. It’s well-known that MK Stalin just isn’t within the prime of well being. A transparent succession has subsequently been chalked out effectively prematurely.
However all just isn’t effectively throughout the DMK. Some are resigned to the dynastic management, whereas others are indignant.
The seniormost chief throughout the ruling DMK occasion, Duraimurugan, 86, walked out of a press meet in Vellore in a huff barely per week in the past. Reporters had questioned him as as to whether Udhayanidhi Stalin would turn into the Deputy Chief Minister.
Whereas Duraimurugan is probably the most vocal amongst senior leaders, others have placed on a courageous face and outwardly expressed help. Many leaders really feel that the glass ceiling has been hit for the third technology in a row, from Mr Karunanidhi to Mr Stalin and now Udhayanidhi. The occasion, they really feel, has turn into completely dynastic in nature, and advantage holds no worth.
That is maybe the largest battle Udhayanidhi will face within the years to return – find out how to maintain the flock collectively after they know they are going to by no means make it to the highest.
A Controversial Deputy Chief Minister
Udhayanidhi is considered by many occasion members as having been born with a silver spoon and missing in political and administrative expertise.
An actor and producer who actually controls the Tamil leisure business together with the stranglehold of the Marans. Udhayanidhi was related to the manufacturing agency Pink Large however ostensibly resigned from the corporate as soon as he turned an MLA in 2021.
It’s an open secret in Kollywood that the DMK first household controls the narrative and the funding within the Tamil movie business, second solely to Bollywood.
Udhayanidhi’s repeated feedback on desirous to eradicate Sanatana Dharma earned him the ire of believers and the BJP forward of the elections. He refused to again down. The Supreme Court docket bench comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta had even noticed – “You abuse your proper underneath Article 19(1)(a) (of the Structure). You abuse your proper underneath Article 25. Now you might be exercising your proper underneath Article 32 (to file plea within the Supreme Court docket)? Do you not know the results of what you stated? You aren’t a layman. You’re a minister. It is best to know the results.” This was in March.
One other occasion senior, TR Baalu had publicly rebuked Udhayanidhi again then. “He’s not afraid of his father or of anybody. He speaks something he appears like, considering that he can handle it later. However I warning him to keep in mind that it’s his responsibility to be sure that the thing he holds in his hand mustn’t fall down and break. All the nation is terrified of the DMK Youth Wing Head, questioning what he’ll do subsequent,” stated Baalu.
These senior leaders who tended to criticise Udhayanidhi have been put firmly of their place. Leaked audio conversations of then Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan accusing Udhayanidhi and Mr Stalin’s son-in-law Sabareesan of corruption led to the previous funding banker being shunted out to the IT Ministry in Could 2023.
Then again, loyalists of Udhay have been given promotions. TRB Raaja took over the necessary portfolio of Industries. He’s considered as being near the DMK scion. Equally, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, a long-time good friend of Udhay was made Minister for College Training. One other Udhay loyalist, Hasan Mohammed Jinnah, was made the State Public Prosecutor and the Director of Prosecution to the Tamil Nadu authorities.
Younger Blood, Contemporary Concepts
Udhayanidhi’s faction although believes that he’ll breathe new life into governance. The DMK has to fulfil guarantees made in its manifesto. Jobs should be created, business should come to the state and the numerous welfare schemes want monetary help.
It’s believed that the elevation of Udhay would offer a fillip to this. It’s hoped that he’ll carry new concepts to the desk and lower crimson tape throughout the board.
What he might would want to determine first although, is find out how to get much-needed funds from the Centre. Creating a rapport with an ideologically opposed occasion in energy on the Centre is not any imply feat. Mr Stalin, for all his bombast, has managed to maintain a sensible line to the Centre intact.
Udhay will likely be should be groomed to take this ahead and develop robust albeit backdoor relations with the BJP.
As for coping with troublesome indignant seniors, he might take a leaf out of Tamil celebrity Rajinikanth’s ebook.
In August, Rajinikanth, at a ebook launch occasion stated, within the presence of Chief Minister Stalin – “It’s astounding how Chief Minister MK Stalin handles senior college students. It’s simple for lecturers to deal with new college students. However previous college students are tough. Right here we now have not previous college students or failed college students, however rank holders who refuse to go away the category. DMK chief Karunanidhi has nurtured them since they have been younger. It isn’t simple to handle them. Durai Murugan was one robust particular person for Karunanidhi to deal with,” he stated, because the viewers and the chief minister erupted in laughter.
A livid Duraimurugan retorted that senior actors with out enamel proceed to behave and deny roles to youthful actors.
The purpose although was made loud and clear. And whereas it might not have been in Mr Stalin’s voice, his mirth stated all of it.
The DMK has its subsequent chief. It’s now as much as him to be taught the ropes and ship.