Varsha Sriram

Udhayanidhi Stalin, actor and son of DMK President M.K Stalin is likely to be elevated as party’s youth wing Secretary. Sources have confirmed to The Hindu that senior party leaders and district secretaries of the party have unanimously supported his candidature to the post. 

Former Union Minister and Sriperumbadur MP T.R Baalu first floated the idea of promoting Udhayanidhi after seeing the way he had grabbed the attention of people while campaigning for both the Lok Sabha elections as well as the by polls for 22 constituencies in Tamil Nadu. Several district secretaries including K N Nehru, K Ponmudi and E V Velu have made similar requests to Stalin, reports Times of India.

As soon as the T.R Baalu suggested Udhayanidhi’s name, seniors leaders and district secretaries agreed with him. A senior leader, told The Hindu, “We need a person whose candidature will be acceptable to everyone and opposed by none. He may not have achieved stardom in films. But politically, he has proved his mettle.” 

Party leaders said that Udhayanidhi could be appointed anytime soon as they want him to take up the post before the local body elections. M.K Stalin is said to have supported his son’s elevation. 

In 2017, Stalin gave up his post as the Secretary of the Youth Wing of DMK after being in the post for 34 years in order to succeed his father Karunanidhi as the DMK President. M.P Swaminathan then replaced Stalin as the wing’s secretary.