The BJP and AIADMK voiced strong criticism on Saturday over the appointment of DMK minister Udhayanidhi Stalin as the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Udhayanidhi, who also holds the position of Sports Minister, has now been assigned the additional portfolio of Planning and Development.

The BJP took a swipe at the move, with national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala remarking, “One more son will rise in Tamil Nadu politics,” referring to the political lineage in the state. He further criticized the broader INDI alliance, claiming it is built on “family and corruption,” citing the political progression from Karunanidhi to Stalin, and now to Udhayanidhi.

AIADMK leaders echoed the sentiment, with Kovai Sathyan calling the decision the beginning of the “end of DMK” in the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections. He said, “The elevation of Prince Udhayanidhi as Deputy Chief Minister marks the end of DMK in 2026. This exposes the lies of Chief Minister MK Stalin."

Speculation about Udhayanidhi’s promotion had been ongoing since January but was postponed due to several factors. These included backlash over his controversial remarks on ‘Sanatana Dharma,’ which led even the INDIA alliance to distance itself from him. Further delays occurred around the Lok Sabha elections and the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, which resulted in 66 deaths.

Top party insiders revealed that Udhayanidhi's appointment was initially slated for August, but the DMK leadership chose to wait until the release of Senthil Balaji, a DMK minister arrested by the Enforcement Directorate. Chief Minister MK Stalin, who previously sidestepped questions on Udhayanidhi's promotion, finally confirmed the decision after Balaji's release, stating, "There will be changes in the Cabinet, but no one will be disappointed."