CHENNAI: DMK on Sunday announced former deputy chief minister and party’s youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin as the leader of its legislature party, confirming his elevation as the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly.
The role sets the stage for Udhaya vs Vijay political rivalry of the next five years. Although the decision was taken at a meeting of the party’s MLA meeting on Thursday, the announcement was made on Sunday evening, a day before the swearing-in of the MLAs.
Former minister KN Nehru has been elected as the deputy leader of the legislative party, becoming the deputy leader of opposition. Similarly, former minister EV Velu has been made the whip of the party in the Assembly.
“While there were voices inside the party cautioning that elevating Udhayanidhi to the post would invite criticism of dynastic politics, It seemed the only possible way to revive the party in the long-term,” a source said.
“Udhayanidhi, who retained the Chepauk-Triplicane constituency, was the only figure within the legislative group who could match Vijay’s public profile and hold the opposition together.” a MLA part of the meeting told TNIE.
Udhaya thanked Stalin in a post on X and said,“Following the guidance of our leader, We will function not just as an opposition, but as a good opposition. We will stand as the bridge between the people and the government from now on.”