Udhayanidhi Stalin, the actor-film producer son of DMK president M.K. Stalin has been fielded from Chennai’s Chepauk-Thiruvellikeni constituency – once held by his grandfather M. Karunanidhi.
Udhayanidhi’s ascent was not unexpected as he had already been appointed as the secretary of the party’s youth wing within a year after M.K. Stalin took over as party president in 2018. If elected he will be third generation in his family to enter the state Assembly and will be in line to succeed M.K. Stalin as party president at a future date. As soon as his name was flashed on TV DMK workers lined up with garlands to greet Udhayanidhi (43) knowing where the next power centre was located.
The DMK today announced its 173 candidates for the April 6 Assembly election, whom Stalin described as “not just candidates but winners” along with the 61 candidates of his allies. Out of the 61 candidates of the allies since 14 will be contesting with the DMK symbol, a total of 187 candidates would be seeking votes under the DMK’s “Rising Sun” symbol Stalin pointed out. Stalin will seek re-election from his present seat – Kolathur in Chennai.
The DMK and AIADMK will clash directly in 100 seats while the BJP will take on the DMK in 14 out of the 20 seats it will be contesting. To that extent it will be an uphill battle for the BJP. In Chennai city alone the DMK will be contesting 15 out of the 16 seats leaving just one for the Congress. DMK general secretary Durai Murugan will be contesting his 12th Assembly election – the highest for any DMK candidate - having been DMK candidate since 1971.
Meanwhile, Kamal Haasan will contest from Coimbatore South against Congress and BJP
