From cinema to Deputy Chief Minister: Udhayanidhi Stalin's journey
Chennai: The line, "I don't know whether I will win or lose... But I will fight sincerely till the very end," from Udhayanidhi Stalin's movie *Manithan*, encapsulates his straightforward and effective messaging style. This approach has also helped him navigate his political journey, making him a strong contender in Tamil Nadu politics.
The "29 Paisa" campaign: Targeting the BJP
In the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Udhayanidhi launched the "29 paisa" campaign, targeting the BJP-led Centre. He consistently referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "29 paisa Modi," claiming that the Centre only returned 29 paisa for every rupee paid as tax by the state. This strengthened the ruling DMK’s narrative, asserting that Tamil Nadu had been neglected by the BJP government.
Rise to Deputy Chief Minister
On September 28, 2024, Udhayanidhi Stalin was elevated to the position of Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. His rise within the DMK has been relatively swift, especially compared to his father, M.K. Stalin, who spent over three decades in the party before becoming Deputy CM in 2009.
Youth wing leadership and ideological outreach
Appointed DMK Youth Wing Secretary in July 2019, Udhayanidhi played a key role in reconnecting the youth with the Dravidian ideology. He organized workshops, conferences, and state-wide rallies to instill the Dravidian spirit in the party's younger members. He also used technology to boost party membership, making the youth wing more influential.
2021 assembly polls: "Single Brick" campaign
In the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Udhayanidhi spearheaded the "single brick" campaign to highlight the BJP-led Centre's failure to launch the Madurai AIIMS project, which had been announced in the 2015-16 Union Budget. This campaign further cemented his reputation as an effective communicator, able to connect with the masses.
Sanatan Dharma controversy and DMK's ideological stance
In 2023, Udhayanidhi sparked national controversy with his comments on Sanatan Dharma. The DMK stood by him, arguing that his statements reflected the party’s long-held beliefs on eradicating social practices that harm the backward classes, scheduled castes, tribes, and women. His comments, though controversial, helped the party reinforce its ideological stance in Tamil Nadu.
Family legacy and influence
As the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and grandson of DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi, Udhayanidhi has enjoyed a unique advantage in his political career. His family background, combined with his leadership in the youth wing and as Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, bolstered his image within the party.
Film career and transition to politics
Before his political ascent, Udhayanidhi was well-known as a film producer, distributor, and actor. He has been active in politics since 2016, serving as the editor of the DMK’s mouthpiece 'Murasoli'. His political work intensified when he was elected as an MLA from Chepauk-Tiruvallikeni in 2021 and later became Sports and Youth Welfare Minister in 2022.
Like his success as a lawyer to win justice in his film 'Manthian' , DMK cadres are confident that he will go on to win more laurels, especially in the 2026 Assembly polls when top actor Vijay's Tamizha Vetri Kazhagam will for the first time face an electoral fight.
( Agency inputs)