Udhayanidhi Stalin Named DMK Opposition Leader In Tamil Nadu Assembly

Udhayanidhi Stalin has been appointed Leader of the Opposition for the DMK Legislature Party in the 17th Tamil Nadu Assembly. The arrangement includes K N Nehru as deputy leader and E V Velu as party whip, positioning the DMK for strategic influence in Assembly debates and governance.

Updated: Sunday, May 10, 2026, 19:45 [IST]

Udhayanidhi Stalin is set to take charge as Leader of the Opposition in the 17th Assembly, after being chosen as leader of the DMK Legislature Party. DMK is the second-largest group in the House, giving Udhayanidhi Stalin a central role in Assembly debates.

A DMK statement said Udhayanidhi Stalin secured the Legislature Party leadership at a meeting of DMK MLAs on May 7 at Anna Arivalayam, the party headquarters. The decision became public on May 10, 2026, confirming the new arrangement inside the Assembly.

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Udhayanidhi Stalin was chosen as Leader of the Opposition and DMK Legislature Party leader for the 17th Assembly, with K.N. Nehru as deputy leader and E.V. Velu as party whip, following party meetings on May 7 and decisions publicized on May 10, 2026.

Udhayanidhi Stalin and DMK Legislature Party leadership

Position	Name
Leader of the Opposition / DMK Legislature Party leader	Udhayanidhi Stalin
Deputy leader, DMK Legislature Party	K.N. Nehru
DMK party whip	E.V. Velu

The 17th Assembly will feature a contest between Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and Udhayanidhi Stalin, who both have film industry backgrounds. K.N. Nehru has been named deputy leader of the DMK Legislature Party, while former minister E.V. Velu will act as the party whip, shaping DMK’s strategy in the House.