The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said on Sunday that Tamil chief minister MK Stalin's son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, doesn't have the maturity to hold the post of the state's deputy chief minister. On Saturday,

In the first such instance in India since Sukhbir Singh Badal served as Punjab's deputy chief minister while his father, Parkash Singh Badal .

In a major political development, Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin was on Saturday (September 28) appointed as the state's Deputy Chief Minister. Udhayanidhi will continue to hold the Sports Ministry portfolio while also being assigned the key portfolio of Planning and Development.

Udhayanidhi would take oath as the Deputy CM on Saturday afternoon. His elevation to the top post came as part of a major cabinet reshuffle in the state government.

BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad criticized Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, alleging a history of prioritizing family interests over public welfare. He questioned Udhayanidhi Stalin's elevation to Deputy Chief Minister and accused CM Stalin of corruption and nepotism.

Udhayanidhi has been promoted amid growing calls within the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, particularly with an eye on the 2026 Assembly elections.

Tamil Nadu sees a historic appointment with Udhayanidhi Stalin becoming deputy CM, joining his father MK Stalin who is the current CM. Governor R N Ra

While the BJP took a jibe at Udhayanidhi and said that "one more son will rise in Tamil Nadu politics", the AIADMK said that it signified the "end of DMK" in the upcoming Assembly elections in the state in 2026.

The reshuffle also reintroduces Senthil Balaji, who had been released from prison by the Supreme Court two days ago, into the state cabinet with the portfolios he held before his resignation over the arrest by the ED in a job scam and money laundering case.