EPS questions Udhayanidhi's rapid rise to Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister role

AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palanisamy questioned Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's qualifications, suggesting he rose in position too quickly..

In Short

• Edappadi K. Palanisamy questioned Udhayanidhi Stalin's rapid rise as Deputy Chief Minister
• Udhayanidhi defended himself, citing EPS's ascent after Jayalalithaa's death
• EPS should "retrospect before criticising others” says Udhayanidhi

Tamil Nadu Opposition leader and AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palanisamy, also known as EPS, raised questions about the qualifications of Udhayanidhi Stalin for his new role as Deputy Chief Minister.

Palanisamy criticised Udhayanidhi's rapid ascent, suggesting he surpassed more experienced leaders in the party. “(MK) Stalin became an MLA in 1989 when I was first elected. He held various positions over 20 years before becoming Chief Minister. In contrast, Udhayanidhi was an MLA for just a year before becoming a minister and now a Deputy Chief Minister, all within a short span. It raises questions about his understanding of the people's needs and his ability to devise effective schemes for their prosperity,” he remarked.

In response, Udhayanidhi Stalin stated that EPS has full freedom to criticise him, but pointed out the hypocrisy in his comments.

“He is much more experienced than me but I still would like to remind people, AIADMK cadres and EPS that after the death of Jayalalithaa in 2017, there were several seniors who were speculated to become CM. It was then spoken that Sengottaiyan would become the CM. The party has seniors like Semmalai, Dindigul Srinivasan, and Banrutti Ramachandran. But people saw the drama that unfolded in Kuvathur about how he became the Chief Minister. People know how he jumped over others to become CM. So he should retrospect before criticising others,” stated Udhayanidhi.

Udhayanidhi Stalin was appointed the new Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu last month after much speculation. Reports suggested that this elevation was to prepare him for the role of Chief Minister when the time came. However, his elevation was stalled for various reasons, including his repeated comments to ‘eradicate Sanatana Dharma.’ His rapid rise within party ranks also drew criticism from various quarters.