Why Stalin was forced to push Udhayanidhi up the ranks as deputy CM

In 2012, Udhayanidhi had his first lead role, and thereafter acted in several films, while also dominating the film industry through his production house Red Giant Movies, handling both production and distribution. Forging a professional relationship with actor Kamal Haasan, Udhaya has ensured that the latter be a part of the DMK-led combine, agreeing to accept a Rajya Sabha nomination and campaigning for the DMK-led alliance in the recent Lok Sabha polls.

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Having lost primacy in the political arena in the State after the entry of MGR through the latter's ADMK (MGR ensured that Karunanidhi was kept away from power from 1977 to 1989), having tasted defeat with political acumen losing out to charisma (MGR and later Jayalalitha, in part), Stalin has realised that the DMK needs not just the Karunanidhi legacy but also the combination of film stardom and youth to neutralise opponents and keep the DMK ahead in the race for power.

The DMK has completed 75 years of existence. Many of its senior leaders have passed away, while some veterans have severe health issues and are unable to cope with the gruelling task of election campaigns and official work. There are no orators in the DMK now unlike the fifties and the sixties when it boasted of several firebrand speakers, led by Karunanidhi himself, with literary prowess and strong moorings in Tamil literature and culture.

Not that the other parties have such speakers, but They, too, suffer from the same deficit. Barring Karunanidhi's daughter, Kanimozhi, to some extent, no senior or middle-level functionary has cared to study Tamil literature in depth, write fluidly in Tamil whether prose or poetry, and speak extempore, drawing from Tamil epics. The last such leader was Vaiko but he parted company with the DMK and launched his own party, MDMK. Though, he is now an ally of the DMK, Vaiko too suffers from ill-health and his son Durai has virtually taken over the party.

Therefore, the DMK is forced to draw an early succession plan to ensure that Udhaya is in place to handle the future.

The move to make him deputy chief minister has drawn criticism from political opponents who, as is expected, have come down hard on DMK's dynastic politics. Stalin took his time as an apprentice, serving the party as MLA for several terms, a stint as Chennai Corporation Mayor, before being made a minister and later deputy chief minister. Stalin became deputy chief minister in 2009 at the age of 56. In that sense, it must be said that Udhaya may have a shorter stint as deputy CM, having got this post at the age of 46, during his first-term as MLA.

However, Stalin is not getting younger, and he needs to lighten his burden both in the government and at party level. From 2009, Stalin had travelled extensively across the State to reduce the load of Karunanidhi, and this has taken a toll.

The DMK organisational structure could also see a change soon, with more importance to Udhaya and his team of young office-bearers. The role of many seniors had been already cut with the district units having been bi-furcated and even tri-furcated to provide for younger functionaries. This process would gain further impetus now.

Udhaya has endeared himself to the party cadre, having made a successful electoral campaign using a single brick to expose the BJP government's reluctance to push the Centre-aided AIIMS project for Madurai, while being respectful towards the seniors. The party, at all levels, has approved his elevation. Stalin had kept the issue alive for several months, until the question emerged 'Why Not' and not 'Why' when it came to the deputy CM post. The appointment was a foregone conclusion and has not surprised anyone.

Udhaya may be pressed into service soon for discussions with other parties in the alliance, to prepare for the 2026 Assembly polls.

Stalin may be the CM face in 2026 as well, and any transition may take place thereafter, if and when the party returns to power.

The DMK will hope that Udhaya will continue to lead the party when it turns 100 in 2049.