Udhayanidhi Stalin is currently the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports in Tamil Nadu. He is the grandson of former Chief Minister Karunanidhi and the son of current Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. In the last assembly elections, he contested in the Chepauk-Triplicane constituency in Chennai and won by a landslide, with all his opponents losing their deposits. He also holds the position of State Secretary of the DMK’s youth wing. There is widespread criticism that Udhayanidhi is given importance in both the party and the government due to his family ties, being Karunanidhi’s grandson and Stalin’s son. In any political movement, even though there may be an impression of individual charisma or control, disputes and disagreements are inevitable in a large organization. When someone takes on a role of responsibility in a movement with about 8 million active members, some minor discontent is unavoidable. Similar criticisms were leveled when Karunanidhi became party leader and when Stalin became treasurer of the party. However, with the support of the majority of the party’s leaders and workers, such criticisms dissipated over time, as if they were camphor evaporating in the air, and the party became more unified. If even film stars without a solid political ideology, like MGR and Jayalalithaa, had to face such criticisms, it’s a challenge for a party like the DMK, which operates primarily on ideological strength and not personal charisma. The DMK is one of the few parties worldwide, that has stood strong on its principles for over 75 years. The party has endured fierce criticism, political attacks, and even emergencies, yet it has remained resilient, making it unique in the global political landscape.
If one attempts to discredit such a movement with superficial allegations like dynastic politics, corruption, or unqualified leadership, it is likely to provoke a backlash, as has been evident over the last 50 years. The same criticisms were made within the DMK by figures like E.V.K. Sampath, MGR, and Vaiko in the past, but instead of weakening the party, these criticisms only solidified its foundation. The 2016 and 2021 assembly election victories stand as proof of this. Political analysts are aware that the DMK actually won the 2016 election, despite media narratives amplifying Jayalalithaa’s strength in all 234 constituencies.
In 2016, M.K. Stalin, then party treasurer and now leader, led the DMK to win nearly 100 seats, breaking the long-standing criticism of dynastic politics. Despite Karunanidhi’s presence, Stalin was the one who steered the party. In the 2021 election, the focus shifted from corruption and dynastic politics to astrological predictions, with critics claiming Stalin did not have the fortune to become Chief Minister.
For 70 years, the DMK, especially since Karunanidhi’s leadership, has been portrayed as a party against Hinduism, with recurring allegations of dynastic politics, scientific corruption, and unqualified leadership. Even as these criticisms dominate headlines, Stalin led the DMK to victory in the 2021 elections, acting as a one-man army. Following the lineage of Karunanidhi and Stalin, Udhayanidhi is now facing similar political attacks.
The criticisms against Udhayanidhi are largely extensions of the long-standing opposition to Karunanidhi and Stalin, framed around the same issues: anti-Hindu stance, dynastic politics, lack of qualifications, and corruption. These attacks follow a familiar narrative, just as they did with past opposition to Karunanidhi and Stalin. Now, it is reflected in the policy talk of the lottery tycoon’s son-in-law, who has exploited the people’s blood.
This situation echoes past disruptions, such as when Rajaji’s disciple, Hande left when the AIADMK was started or when figures like Panruti Ramachandran and RSS Pandiayarajan disrupted parties with their opposition to Karunanidhi. Currently, Arjun Reddy, a sudden activist within the VCK (Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi), is stirring controversy in a similar fashion. The RSS is described as a political octopus, capable of toppling even a giant whale like Thirumavalavan. If the giant whale, known as Thiruma will fall or he will manage to cut off the octopus’ tentacles? Let’s wait and watch…
Dhravida Jeeva
