Stalin’s son-in-law Sabareesan hops into direct politics with a dig at Vijay

Amid Tamil Nadu’s already high-voltage election season, a new development has sparked quite a buzz. DMK chief MK Stalin’s son-in-law, V Sabareesan, has made a direct entry into active politics just weeks before the Assembly elections on April 23, bringing a glaring spotlight on the DMK’s family-centric power structure.

Sabareesan, who until now operated largely behind the scenes, trained the gun at once on actor-turned-politician Vijay, claiming that his decision to contest two constituencies showed his lack of confidence. “There is no significant opposition in Tamil Nadu (to the DMK). TVK’s participation in the Assembly elections will not affect DMK’s victory in any way. Vijay contesting from two seats only reflects his confidence,” he claimed.

Supreme confidence

Sabareesan addressed the media immediately after attending a high-level DMK election strategy meeting chaired by senior leader Sekar Babu on Thursday (April 2) morning. “Absolute victory (for DMK). There’s no contest here. We have schemes delivered, we have confidence,” he declared with supreme confidence.

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“DMK will form the government again. There is no doubt about it,” he said, dismissing any threat from Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

Later in the day, he was seen campaigning aggressively in Villivakkam constituency for his close friend and DMK candidate Karthik Mohan. The event, organised by the local residents’ welfare association and social activists at the CITCO Nagar area of Villivakkam, had Sekar Babu, Chennai Mayor Priya, Karthik Mohan, Sabareesan, and his wife Senthamarai Stalin (Stalin’s daughter) in attendance.

In his address to the gathering, Sabareesan struck an emotional yet authoritative note: “I am not a different candidate… Help him (Karthik Mohan) win. All the schemes you expect for your constituency will be delivered.”

Backroom strategist steps into limelight

Sabareesan’s sudden public foray happened when leader of the opposition AIADMK and former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, during his election campaign, directly accused the ruling establishment of running “four power centres”—Stalin, his son Udhayanidhi Stalin, son-in-law Sabareesan, and Stalin’s wife Durga Stalin.

A close friend of Sabareesan, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Even if this sudden direct entry into politics is projected as support for his friend Karthik Mohan, it clearly shows that Sabareesan has developed a keen interest in direct politics.”

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Political observers point out that Sabareesan was already a key behind-the-scenes player in the DMK’s electoral successes. He is widely credited with playing a major role in the DMK-led alliance’s victories in the 2021 Assembly elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Sources close to the party say he and his team were actively involved in election strategy, candidate selection, and campaign planning.

Interestingly, the Villivakkam contest has now taken on a personal edge. Karthik Mohan is pitted against Adhav Arjuna, the general secretary of TVK and a former close friend of Sabareesan. The shift in alliances has added an extra layer of drama to the constituency and is expected to make the electoral battle in Villivakkam one of the most watched contests in the city.

DMK’s family narrative gains fresh momentum

With Udhayanidhi already the deputy chief minister and face of the party’s youth wing, Sabareesan’s open entry now completes what many describe as the “family quartet” at the heart of Tamil Nadu’s power corridors.

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The development has given fresh ammunition to Opposition parties that have long accused the DMK of promoting dynastic politics. Yet, for DMK loyalists, Sabareesan’s move is being projected as a natural extension of the party’s commitment to welfare politics.

As the election season heats up, all eyes are now on whether Sabareesan’s direct involvement will strengthen the DMK’s grassroots machinery or become a fresh point of attack for the Opposition.