Chennai, 15 December (H.S.) : Chief Minister MK Stalin, who is also the DMK president, has announced that a substantially higher number of youngsters would be fielded in the 2026 Assembly election. This pledge was made during his address at the DMK Youth Wing’s north zone conference held at Kalaignar Thidal in Malappambadi near Tiruvannamalai.

The move is seen as a reinforcement of the party's focus on generational transition and a potential counter to the rise of youth-centric politics led by figures like TVK leader Vijay.

Mr. Stalin endorsed his son and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who also serves as the Youth Wing secretary, stating that the party would repose greater electoral responsibility in young leaders, particularly those who have been nurtured through the Youth Wing. This declaration came shortly after Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin used the conference platform to advocate for wider opportunities for young members.

During the event, senior party leaders provided strong backing for Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin. Minister EV Velu hailed him as Young Periyar, while MP A Raja publicly invited him to lead the party in the future, remarks that garnered thunderous applause. In his own speech, Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin criticized spectacle-driven politics, taking a veiled dig at rival groups by warning that a crowd without discipline achieves nothing.

He also lambasted the AIADMK–BJP alliance, accusing the BJP-led NDA government of using central agencies like the Directorate of Enforcement, CBI, and Income Tax to intimidate DMK leaders, asserting that the party would not be threatened.

He confidently maintained that Tamil Nadu would always remain out of Delhi's control.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary