Meet the new ‘Gandhis’ in making: The Stalins

What is Gandhi Family famous for? Or we can say, infamous for. Well, it is dynasty politics. The Gandhi clan is often criticised for being self-centred and prioritising politics over the nation. While nepotism has already destroyed various sectors including the entertainment industry, politics is something that needs to refrain from promoting any nepotism product. However, few clans have begun going the ‘Gandhis’ way and guess what, the Stalins are currently leading the race.

MK Stalin makes way for his son

In what can be seen as yet another move to promote nepotism, DMK MLA and Chief Minister MK Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi Stalin will probably be soon inducted into the Tamil Nadu state Cabinet by June. If the senior party leaders are to be believed, then the party and its first family are cautious to not repeat the mistake made by Stalin. The senior party leaders stated, “Stalin emerged as CM only at 70 years. He will be in his mid-70s by the next election. The party and the family believe that such a mistake should not happen with Udhayanidhi’s political future.”

The leader informed that Udhayanidhi, 44 years old, is expected to complete his pending film projects by June. He added, “Including Nenjukku Needhi (a Tamil remake of Article 15), his two projects are in the final stage. He was in discussions about two more projects. But we learn that he is unlikely to act in them.”

Another senior DMK functionary said that “We complete one year (in power) in the first week of May. There is a general feeling that Udhayanidhi’s entry shouldn’t be delayed.”

Reportedly, Junior Stalin’s portfolio is still being discussed and is yet to decide. Notably, the party leaders do not want his induction into the government to affect others and that is why he will be joining the cabinet without replacing an incumbent minister.

The party functionary further reported, “A portfolio given to Udhayanidhi will automatically come into the limelight, it will also face public scrutiny. Other than his tenure as Mayor (of Chennai), what helped Stalin a lot was his local body portfolio in the 2006-’11 government. Something similar is being considered for Udhayanidhi too. A portfolio that demands that he travel across the state to meet a maximum number of people. He is young, he can travel north to south and west to east. Along with his good performance, getting familiar with governance, funds, and handling the Union government and their resources are crucial for his future.”

Stalin family adopts dynasty politics

It is pertinent to note that while DMK leaders are of the opinion that there will be no opposition in the party over the new induction, the family of Stalin’s elder brother Alagiri is disappointed. Well, there’s a reason for the same. Alagiri wasn’t offered any position after DMK’s poll victory last year. Shockingly, a source has also revealed that Alagiri’s family hardly get any “minimal help and resources” for its small businesses.

Political analyst P Ramajayam from the Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy in Trichy too thinks that the party has stepped in with the decision to induct Udhayanidhi into the cabinet because of the much-delayed elevation of Stalin. He stated, “If it is to happen soon, they may be thinking that they should not make Udhayanidhi wait for too long. Making his entry into the state Cabinet faster means he will evolve as a leading figure earlier than Stalin did. Such responsibilities also make him familiar with administrative decisions and government operations. It is essentially a decision to channelise his growth.”

Udhayanidhi is another Rahul Gandhi

There are Rahul Gandhis in every party, the only question is when they appear on the national scene and when they are projected or forced as the next leader onto the masses.

Earlier as reported by TFI, during a DMK roadshow at Dharapuram last year, Stalin’s son had accused the PM of ‘killing’ the late BJP veteran leaders Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley. An unhinged Udhayanidhi had claimed that the two BJP stalwarts died due to ‘torture’ and ‘pressure’ exerted by PM Modi.

“There was a person called Sushma Swaraj. She died due to the pressure exerted by Modi. There was a person called Arun Jaitley. He died due to the torture by Modi.” said the DMK scion.

Read more: Udhayanidhi Stalin: Every party has a Rahul Gandhi; the only question is when they appear on the national scene

“Modi had come here yesterday and accused that I had taken a shortcut route… Who is saying that? Being the Chief Minister of Gujarat, we know that how Modi sidelined many… I have the list” Udhayanidhi paused before taking the names of party veterans LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha.

However, the daughters of the two leaders took to Twitter to set Stalin in his place. First, it was Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of Sushma Swaraj who hit back at Udhayanidhi by calling his comments “despicable and disrespecting”.

“Udhayanidhi ji, please do not use my mother’s memory for your poll propaganda! Your statements are false! PM Narendra Modi ji bestowed utmost respect and honour on my mother. In our darkest hour, the PM and party stood by us rock solid! Your statement has hurt us,” she tweeted.

Sonali Jaitley Bakhshi, daughter of Late Arun Jaitley also trained her guns on Udhayanidhi and slammed the DMK leader by calling him a ‘liar’.

“@Udhaystalin ji, I know there is election pressure – but I won’t stay silent when you lie and disrespect my father’s memory. Dad @arunjaitley and Shri @narendramodi ji shared a special bond that was beyond politics. I pray you are lucky enough to know such friendship,” tweeted Sonali.

Udhayanidhi targeted the departed leaders for a few crumbs of votes and these statements are enough to demonstrate the kind of person he is. Something that can be compared with Congress scion Rahul Gandhi.