Balaji was sworn in following a cabinet rejig and a day after Stalin’s son, Udhayanidhi, took charge as the deputy chief minister

Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, took oath on Sunday as the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The ruling DMK's rank and file had been seeking 46 year-old Udhayanidhi's promotion with an eye on the 2026 Assembly polls in the state, which the party is keen to win and retain power in the state.

The party, rallying in his support, campaigned that national icons like Periyar EV Ramasamy, Dr BR Ambedkar and Naryana Guru had spoken against discrimination including those based on a person's birth.

Along with Balaji, DMK MLAs, Govi Chezhiaan, R. Rajendran and SM Nasar were administered oath by Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi.

New Delhi: The BJP on Sunday hit out at the DMK over elevation of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's son Udayanidhi as the state’s deputy chief minister, alleging the party's sole focus is on corruption and the progress of the family of its leadership.

Udhayanidhi Stalin has been elevated to deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Senthil Balaji, who was recently released on bail, is reinstated as a minister. The cabinet reshuffle saw three ministers dropped and three new faces inducted.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin appointed his son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, known for his anti-Sanatan remarks, as Deputy Chief Minister on September 28. Udhayanidhi took oath on September 29 at Chennai’s Raj Bhavan.