Chennai, 04 July (H.S.):

DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin left for London on Saturday on a two-week private visit to attend the graduation ceremony of his grandson, Inbanidhi, before spending a few days with his family in the United Kingdom.

Stalin departed from Chennai International Airport at around 9.50 a.m. on an Emirates flight via Dubai, accompanied by his wife, Durga Stalin. The couple is scheduled to return to Chennai on July 18.

The primary purpose of the visit is to attend the convocation ceremony of Inbanidhi, the son of former Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who has completed his higher education at a university in London. Stalin is expected to personally congratulate his grandson on the academic milestone and spend time with family members after the event.

Following the convocation, the former Chief Minister is expected to remain in London for a few more days on a private holiday. Sources said the visit is entirely personal, with no official or political engagements planned. The family is also likely to visit a few tourist attractions before returning to Chennai later this month.

Before his departure, Stalin arrived at Chennai International Airport around 8.15 a.m., where he was seen off by senior DMK leaders and party functionaries, including former Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, DMK treasurer T.R. Baalu, deputy general secretary A. Raja and former minister P.K. Sekar Babu.

Stalin served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 2021 to 2026 after leading the DMK to victory in the 2021 Assembly election. During his five-year tenure, his government implemented several welfare initiatives and infrastructure projects across the state.

However, the DMK suffered a major setback in the 2026 Assembly election, losing power to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led alliance. Stalin also lost his Assembly constituency, one of the most significant reverses of his political career. Despite the defeat, he continues as DMK president and remains actively involved in leading the party's organisational and political affairs. Stalin is expected to resume his regular engagements after returning to Chennai on July 18.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman