The Tamil Nadu cabinet on Sunday witnessed a high-profile reshuffle marking a significant shift in the DMK leadership. Udhayanidhi Stalin's elevation as the deputy chief minister is seen as a strategic move by the DMK to strengthen his role within the party and the government.
The announcement to elevate Udhayanidhi as Stalin’s deputy came hours after the DMK celebrated its 75th platinum jubilee on Saturday at Kanchipuram near Chennai. “I will work for the people of the state. I understand my responsibilities and will work accordingly,” Udhayanidhi said.
Three Tamil Nadu MLAs were sworn in as ministers by Governor R.N. Ravi. V. Senthil Balaji, who is out on bail after 471-day-long incarceration, S.M. Nasser who was earlier dropped from the cabinet on charges of corruption, Govi Chezhian, the only Scheduled Tribe MLA and Salem R. Rajendran have been inducted into the cabinet. Balaji has been given the same portfolios—electricity and excise and prohibition—which he had held before his arrest in June 2023. Nasser has been appointed as the minister for the minorities department while Govi Chezhian will keep the higher education which was earlier with DMK senior K. Ponmudi. R. Rajendran has been appointed as the minister of tourism.
The reshuffle comes at a time when there were high expectations about Udhayanidhi’s rise within the party. Though his elevation might not alter the power equations in the party, it holds a huge significance in the government's performance. Stalin has given one of the most crucial portfolios—planning and development—to his son as he assumes charge as the deputy chief minister. Sources say there were parleys within the party to allot the local administration department to Udhayanidhi which did not materialise. Sources say that the senior leaders in the party were not willing to give up their portfolios for Udhayanidhi.
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On the other side, the appointment of Govi Chezhian as a minister comes amid talks about a rift in the VCK alliance. Recently, Aadhav Arjun of Thol Thirumavalan’s VCK spoke about the Dalit representation in Tamil Nadu and asked why the VCK should not demand the deputy chief minister post for his leader Thirumavalavan. Chezhian is the only Scheduled Tribe MLA inducted into the cabinet. Sources say that the position was given to him only to iron out the caste equations in the cabinet. With Chezhian, there are four Dalit ministers in Stalin’s cabinet.
The appointment of R. Rajendran, the only DMK MLA from Salem district, comes at a time when the DMK is gearing up for a tough fight with the opposition AIADMK in the 2026 general elections. Salem being the hometown of AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Rajendran being inducted into the cabinet assumes significance.
The reinstatement of Senthil Balaji into the cabinet is seen as a message to the Centre and the BJP. Balaji was the only minister who exposed BJP leader Annamalai, be it in the former IPS officer allegedly opening the exit door in an airplane or sporting an expensive Rafael watch. Balaji was also in charge of Coimbatore district for the DMK where Annamalai recently contested the Lok Sabha polls only to finish second. On the other side, the reinduction of Senthi Balaji into the cabinet sends out a strong message to the party seniors that loyalty will be paid back.