Having spent ten consecutive years in opposition and overcoming severe challenges, the DMK under Stalin’s leadership returned to power. After Kalaignar’s demise, Stalin skillfully handled the responsibility of leading the party through a critical period and, after a ten-year gap, brought the DMK back to power through his hard work. He achieved victory in 2021 too, amid enormous challenges, after narrowly missing it in 2016. When he took over as party leader after Kalaignar, he openly stated, “I do not have Kalaignar’s literary flair in writing or speech, but with ideological clarity, I can keep working tirelessly — toil, toil, toil is my mantra.” True to his word, he worked hard and brought the party to victory.Upon assuming power, he included many senior ministers from Kalaignar’s cabinet in his own, giving them their due respect and acknowledgment. While he did not bring major changes to the party structure, he swiftly appointed officials in a way that avoided controversies and that move was well appreciated. One such officer is Udhayachandran IAS, currently the Secretary of the Finance Department and also the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary.Udhayachandran has never had any major controversies or allegations of corruption against him. Even now, there are no open accusations regarding corruption or misconduct in his administrative role. However, his reach and authority within the government are seen as extending as far as that of ministers, and this has drawn criticism. Particularly, his close relationship with media outlets that often function with anti-DMK bias adds fuel to the criticism. It is said with certainty in government circles that he played a major role in Minister Ponmudi’s recent resignation. Reports also indicate that he has been politically maneuvering to sideline many long-standing district secretaries and ministers who have been unshakable figures in the DMK for the past 40 years.It is said that he brings various allegations against ministers directly to the Chief Minister — crossing boundaries between the role of Principal Secretary and Finance Secretary — and that the Chief Minister accepts them. The strength of the DMK lies in its seasoned administrators who, even while in opposition, held the party strong in their respective regions. Hence, even though they have been labeled as ‘local chieftains’ or criticized by political opponents, their leadership and stronghold have been retained because the party relies on their contributions.Yet it is these very senior administrators and ministers, who have worked for 40 to 50 years in both party and governance, that Udhayachandran is believed to be consistently criticizing to the Chief Minister. Ministers themselves have indicated this. Moreover, his deep ties with a particular media outlet — often harshly critical of the DMK regardless of who is in power — are notable. That very media house, which has continually published negative stories and articles about ministers, is said to be influenced by Udhayachandran, according to confirmed reports.An honest officer is defined by simply fulfilling their role with integrity — but he is said to spend most of his time with his communist and media friends. When you add it all up, the concern among senior administrators is whether the Chief Minister is abandoning his 40-year-old comrades by relying on such an officer.No one knows for certain who is bringing these matters to the CM’s attention. Furthermore, with just ten months left in the current administration’s term — and with the BJP-led central government already reportedly planning to arrest DMK ministers on corruption charges — the pressure is only increasing. In the context of Senthil Balaji’s arrest and Ponmudi losing his minister post, Udhayachandran is alleged to have played a major role. Reliable information also suggests that a plan is underway to remove K. N. Nehru as well.It appears that both the mindset of the BJP at the center and of the media outlet closely associated with Udhayachandran are aligned in one mission — to paint the DMK as a corrupt party. Now even Udhayachandran’s own thinking seems to match that goal. How will the Chief Minister respond to such a conspiracy — where even field-workers like K.N. Nehru, considered pillars of the party, are being targeted through this scheme? Let’s wait and see — will the story of the arrogant Udhayachandrans reach its end?
