Why MK Stalin wants to elevate Udhayanidhi now?
Hindustan TimesThe ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam launched its campaign for the 2021 assembly elections in Trichy — considered to be the party’s lucky territory — where the loudest cheers were saved not for the to be chief minister MK Stalin but his son- Udhayanidhi. After fits and starts over the elevation of 46-year-old Udhayanidhi, who is currently the minister for sports and special program implementation, Stalin for the first time acknowledged that “there is a demand to make him deputy chief minister” but said that the “time is not yet ripe”, while speaking to reporters on August 5. Ahead of the 20-day trip to the US on August 22 by Stalin to attract investments, minister for backward classes RS Rajakannapan who on August 9 told reporters that “after August 19, party cadres can call Udhayanidhi deputy chief minister.” “His health is not at risk like it is being speculated but he will also be taking medical treatment in the US. During his absence the main role of a deputy chief minister would be to hold cabinet meetings and he can trust Udhayanidhi to do that job without causing new problems,” said a DMK parliamentarian on condition of anonymity. “Stalin has balanced it well to make his succession plan smooth.” The flashpoint for this succession plan was the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when Udhayanidhi made his debut in the campaign trail.