{{Short description|Indian politician (born 1953)}} {{Tamil name|Muthuvel Karunanidhi|Stalin}} {{protection padlock|small=yes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | image = The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru MK Stalin.jpg | caption = Stalin in 2022 | office = Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu | order = 8th | term_start = 7 May 2021 | status = | term_end = 9 May 2026 | deputy = Udhayanidhi Stalin | governor = {{ubl|Banwarilal Purohit|R. N. Ravi|Rajendra Arlekar}} | predecessor = Edappadi K. Palaniswami | successor = C. Joseph Vijay {{Collapsed infobox section begin|Additional ministries}} | 1blankname1 = Ministry and Departments | 1namedata1 = * Public * General Administration * Indian Administrative Service * Indian Police Service * Indian Forest Service * District Revenue Officers * Police * Home * Special Initiatives * Special Programme Implementation * Welfare of Differently Abled Persons {{Collapsed infobox section end}} | office2 = Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu | order2 = 1st | term_start2 = 29 May 2009 | term_end2 = 15 May 2011 | governor2 = Surjit Singh Barnala | predecessor2 = ''Office established'' | successor2 = O. Panneerselvam (in 2017) | 1blankname2 = Chief Minister | 1namedata2 = M. Karunanidhi {{Collapsed infobox section begin|Portfolios}} | 2blankname2 = Ministry and Departments | 2namedata2 = * General Administration * District Revenue Officers * Industries * Minorities Welfare * Social Reforms * Municipal Administration and Water Supply * Passports * Poverty Alleviation Programmes * Rural Development and Panchayat Raj * Special Initiatives {{Collapsed infobox section end}} | office3 = 17th Leader of the Opposition in the<br />Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly | term_start3 = 24 May 2016 | term_end3 = 6 May 2021 | governor3 = {{ubl|Konijeti Rosaiah|C. Vidyasagar Rao| Banwarilal Purohit}} | predecessor3 = Vijayakanth | successor3 = Edappadi K. Palaniswami | 1blankname3 = Chief Minister | 1namedata3 = {{ubl|J. Jayalalithaa|O. Panneerselvam|Edappadi K Palaniswami}} | office4 = Cabinet Minister in Tamil Nadu | minister4 = Rural Development and Panchayati Raj | term_start4 = 13 May 2006 | term_end4 = 15 May 2011 | 1blankname4 = Chief Minister | 1namedata4 = M. Karunanidhi | predecessor4 = K. P. Anbalagan | successor4 = P. Mohan | office5 = 2nd President of<br />Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | term_start5 = 28 August 2018 | term_end5 = | 1blankname5 = General Secretary | 1namedata5 = {{ubl|K. Anbazhagan|Durai Murugan}} | predecessor5 = M. Karunanidhi | office6 = Working President of<br />Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | term_start6 = 4 January 2017 | term_end6 = 28 August 2018 | predecessor6 = ''Position established'' | successor6 = ''Position abolished'' | president6 = M. Karunanidhi | office7 = Treasurer of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | term_start7 = 27 December 2008 | term_end7 = 27 August 2018 | predecessor7 = Arcot N. Veeraswami | successor7 = Durai Murugan | president7 = M. Karunanidhi | 1blankname7 = General Secretary | 1namedata7 = K. Anbazhagan | office8 = Deputy General Secretary of<br />Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | term_start8 = 2 June 2003 | term_end8 = 26 December 2008 | 1blankname8 = General Secretary | predecessor8 = ''Position established'' | successor8 = ''Position abolished'' | president8 = M. Karunanidhi | 1namedata8 = K. Anbazhagan | office9 = 45th Mayor of Chennai | term_start9 = 25 October 1996 | term_end9 = 6 September 2002 | predecessor9 = R. Arumugam (in 1973) | successor9 = Karate R. Thiagarajan | office11 = Member of the<br />Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly | term_start11 = 23 May 2011 | term_end11 = 4 May 2026 | predecessor11 = ''Constituency established'' | successor11 = V. S. Babu | constituency11 = Kolathur | term_start12 = 13 May 1996 | term_end12 = 15 May 2011 | predecessor12 = K. A. Krishnaswamy | successor12 = B. Valarmathi | constituency12 = Thousand Lights | term_start13 = 27 January 1989 | predecessor13 = K. A. Krishnaswamy | successor13 = K. A. Krishnaswamy | term_end13 = 30 January 1991 | constituency13 = Thousand Lights | office14 = Youth wing secretary of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | term_start14 = 20 July 1982 | term_end14 = 6 July 2017 | predecessor14 = ''Position established'' | successor14 = M. P. Saminathan | president14 = M. Karunanidhi | 1blankname14 = General Secretary | 1namedata14 = K. Anbazhagan | birth_name = Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1953|03|01}} | birth_place = Madras, India | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | resting_place = | party = Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | spouse = {{marriage|Durga|1975}} | children = 2, including Udhayanidhi | father = M. Karunanidhi | mother = Dayalu Ammal | relatives = Karunanidhi family | alma_mater = Presidency College, Madras (B.A.) | signature = M. K. Stalin Signature.svg | website = {{URL|mkstalin.in/}} | nickname = | footnotes = }} '''Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|s|t|ɑː|l|ɪ|n|,_|-|l|i|n}}, {{IPA|ta|'mut̪ːuʋeːl kaɾuˈɳaːniði sʈaːˈlin|audio=MK Stalin Swearing-in DMK Chief MK Stalin Takes Oath As Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.ogg}}}} (born 1 March 1953) is an Indian politician and a statesman who served as the eighth chief minister of Tamil Nadu from 2021 to 2026. He became president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on 28 August 2018, after serving as the party's working president from January 2017 to August 2018.
Stalin is the third son of former Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi. He completed his education at Presidency College, Madras in 1973. He began his political career in the late 1960s and was elected to the DMK's general committee in 1973. He was jailed during the Emergency in 1976. He became the secretary of the party's youth wing in 1982, a post he held for more than four decades. He served as the mayor of Chennai from 1996 to 2002. He has been elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly eight times, and served as the state's first deputy chief minister from 2009 to 2011.
Stalin is married to Durga, and their son Udhayanidhi served as the deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu from 2024 to 2026. In 2009, Anna University conferred an honorary doctorate on Stalin. In 2025, ''The Indian Express'' named him as India's 23rd most powerful personality.
== Early and personal life == Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin was born on 1 March 1953 in Madras. He is the third son of M. Karunanidhi, who would later serve as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and Dayalu Ammal. He was named after the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/w8AdQ0Gwsh12WyUjORR14J/Will-DMKs-Stalin-gain-from-the-political-feud-in-Tamil-Nadu.html|title=Will DMK's Stalin gain from the political feud in Tamil Nadu?|last=Thangavelu|first=Dharani|date=1 March 2017|work=Mint|access-date=20 April 2018|archive-date=20 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420135905/https://www.livemint.com/Politics/w8AdQ0Gwsh12WyUjORR14J/Will-DMKs-Stalin-gain-from-the-political-feud-in-Tamil-Nadu.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Week">{{cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2018/08/28/m-k-stalin-timeline-slow-steady-dmk-president.html|title=M.K. Stalin timeline: Slow, steady rise of DMK's new president|work=The Week|access-date=11 August 2019|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326025225/https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2018/08/28/m-k-stalin-timeline-slow-steady-dmk-president.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Stalin was educated at Madras Christian College Higher Secondary School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6709112.cms|title=Star-studded 175th b'day for MCC school|date=7 October 2010|work=The Times of India|access-date=7 October 2018|archive-date=21 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921150755/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/star-studded-175th-bday-for-mcc-school/articleshow/6709112.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> He completed a pre-university course at Vivekananda College and obtained a degree in history from Presidency College in 1973.<ref name="Result">{{cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/politicians/m-k-stalin-86.html|title=M K Stalin political timeline|work=OneIndia|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>
Stalin married Durga (alias Shantha) on 20 August 1975. They have two children:<ref name="Result"/> a son Udhayanidhi, who served as deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu from 2024 till 2026.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/tamil-nadu/story/udhayanidhi-stalin-tamil-nadu-deputy-cm-cabinet-reshuffle-mk-stalin-2608062-2024-09-28|title=MK Stalin appoints son Udhayanidhi as Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister|date=28 September 2024|access-date=1 June 2025|work=India Today}}</ref> and daughter Senthamarai, an entrepreneur and education professional.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sunshine {{!}} Management|url=http://sunshineschool.in/senior/management.aspx|access-date=25 January 2022|work=Sunshine school|archive-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928064400/http://sunshineschool.in/senior/management.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=4 April 2021|title=V Sabareesan: Tamil Nadu's first family's premier son-in-law|url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/v-sabareesan-tamil-nadus-first-familys-premier-son-in-law-7258121/|access-date=25 January 2022|work=The Indian Express|archive-date=21 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121142001/https://indianexpress.com/elections/v-sabareesan-tamil-nadus-first-familys-premier-son-in-law-7258121/|url-status=live}}</ref> Stalin describes himself as an atheist.<ref>{{cite web|title=Not in the name of God: Why MK Stalin's atheism is par for the course|url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/views/not-in-the-name-of-god-why-mk-stalins-atheism-is-par-for-the-course-9230411.htm|access-date=8 May 2021|work=CNBC TV18|date=7 May 2021|archive-date=8 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508172755/https://www.cnbctv18.com/views/not-in-the-name-of-god-why-mk-stalins-atheism-is-par-for-the-course-9230411.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=8 August 2018|title=M Karunanidhi: An atheist who ruled even as religion ruled politics|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/m-karunanidhi-an-atheist-who-ruled-even-as-religion-ruled-politics-1308328-2018-08-08|access-date=8 May 2021|work=India Today|archive-date=8 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508172753/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/m-karunanidhi-an-atheist-who-ruled-even-as-religion-ruled-politics-1308328-2018-08-08|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=8 August 2018|title=M Karunanidhi (1924-2018): An atheist who spoke of God in the smile of the poor|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/m-karunanidhi-1924-2018-an-atheist-who-spoke-of-god-in-the-smile-of-the-poor-5296749/|access-date=8 May 2021|work=The Indian Express|archive-date=30 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230123652/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/m-karunanidhi-1924-2018-an-atheist-who-spoke-of-god-in-the-smile-of-the-poor-5296749/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Political career == === Early career === Stalin began his political career in his early teens when he, with some friends, founded the youth wing of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Gopalapuram.<ref name="NDTV">{{cite web |title=MK Stalin's Big Test In First Tamil Nadu Polls Since Father Karunanidhi's Death |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-assembly-election-2021-mk-stalins-big-test-in-first-tamil-nadu-polls-since-father-karunanidhis-death-2394647 |access-date=20 March 2021 |work=NDTV |archive-date=20 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320005531/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-assembly-election-2021-mk-stalins-big-test-in-first-tamil-nadu-polls-since-father-karunanidhis-death-2394647 |url-status=live}}</ref> At 14 years old, he campaigned for his uncle, Murasoli Maran, in the 1967 Madras State Legislative Assembly election.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/stalin-is-the-cm-candidate-from-dmk/article6957912.ece |title=Waiting in the wings |work=The Hindu |author=B. Kolappan |date=4 March 2015 |access-date=26 August 2017 |archive-date=28 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928070552/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/stalin-is-the-cm-candidate-from-dmk/article6957912.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TIE">{{cite web |date=28 August 2018 |title=From Ilaya Thalapathi to DMK chief, Stalin comes out of Karunanidhi's shadows |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/who-is/dmk-chief-mk-stalin-profile-5328255/ |access-date=20 March 2021 |work=The Indian Express |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718030213/https://indianexpress.com/article/who-is/dmk-chief-mk-stalin-profile-5328255/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1973, he was elected to the general committee of the DMK.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tn-election-finally-the-prince-becomes-the-king/articleshow/82364423.cms |title=M K Stalin: Finally, the prince becomes the king |work=The Times of India |date=3 May 2021 |access-date=4 May 2021 |archive-date=3 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503065045/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tn-election-finally-the-prince-becomes-the-king/articleshow/82364423.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1976, Stalin was jailed in Madras Central Prison under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act for protesting against the Emergency.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/m-k-stalin-dmk-congress-bjp-aiadmk-pmk-narendra-modi-lok-sabha-elections-2019-mmamata-banerjee-karunanidhi/373379 |title=MK Stalin: The new charioteer of Dravida Munnetra Kazagham |work=Times Now |author=Nikhil Jha |date=16 April 2019 |access-date=25 February 2021 |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718030214/https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/m-k-stalin-dmk-congress-bjp-aiadmk-pmk-narendra-modi-lok-sabha-elections-2019-mmamata-banerjee-karunanidhi/373379 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dtnext.in/News/TopNews/2018/08/28185507/1086200/MK-Stalin-From-a-gritty-teenage-campaigner-to-mature-.vpf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718030227/https://www.dtnext.in/News/TopNews/2018/08/28185507/1086200/MK-Stalin-From-a-gritty-teenage-campaigner-to-mature-.vpf |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 July 2021 |title=MK Stalin: From a gritty teenage campaigner to mature DMK boss |work=DT Next |date=28 August 2018 |access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref> Whilst in police custody, he endured torture which resulted in the death of his fellow prisoner C. Chittibabu.<ref name="Venkatachalapathy2019">{{cite book |author=A. R. Venkatachalapathy |title=Tamil Characters |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NMB7DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT56 |access-date=23 February 2021 |date=24 January 2019 |publisher=Pan Macmillan |isbn=978-1-5290-2259-9 |pages=56– |archive-date=21 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921150813/https://books.google.com/books?id=NMB7DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT56 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Kannan2017">{{cite book |author=R Kannan |title=MGR: A Life |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2mclDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT207 |date=28 June 2017 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-9-38649-588-4 |pages=207– |access-date=25 February 2021 |archive-date=21 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921150739/https://books.google.com/books?id=2mclDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT207 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Stalin-takes-family-on-nostalgia-trip-around-Central-jail/articleshow/4273669.cms |title=Stalin takes family on nostalgia trip around Central jail |work=The Times of India |date=17 March 2009 |access-date=25 February 2021 |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718030212/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Stalin-takes-family-on-nostalgia-trip-around-Central-jail/articleshow/4273669.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> He wrote his final-year college exams whilst in prison.<ref name="Week"/>
=== Youth wing and MLA === Stalin established the youth wing of the DMK in 1980 and became its secretary in 1982, a post he held for more than four decades.<ref name="Week"/> During the 1980s, he travelled across Tamil Nadu to encourage and mentor youth to join active politics.<ref>{{cite web |date=4 July 2019 |title=Udayanidhi Stalin appointed DMK youth wing secretary |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/udayanidhi-stalin-appointed-dmk-youth-wing-secretary/article28282578.ece |access-date=30 September 2022 |work=Business Line |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326025515/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/udayanidhi-stalin-appointed-dmk-youth-wing-secretary/article28282578.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1989, he was elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from Thousand Lights Assembly constituency, and represented the constituency five times.<ref name="Week"/> In 2003, he became Deputy General Secretary of the DMK.<ref name="NDTV" />
=== Mayor of Chennai (1996–2002)=== Stalin became the Mayor of Chennai in 1996.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/an-administrator-witha-good-track-record/article24795862.ece |title=An administrator witha good track record |date=18 August 2018 |access-date=18 November 2020 |work=The Hindu }}</ref> As mayor, he initiated the ''Singara Chennai'' (Beautiful Chennai) project to improve the city's infrastructure.<ref name="Week"/> He modernised the garbage disposal system by giving priority to cleaning works, and implemented development projects in areas such as health, public construction and schools. He built flyovers to address traffic congestion.<ref>{{cite news |title=M K Stalin: From a gritty teenage campaigner to mature DMK boss |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/m-k-stalin-from-a-gritty-teenage-campaigner-to-mature-dmk-boss/articleshow/65580876.cms?from=mdr |access-date=13 September 2021 |archive-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913175401/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/m-k-stalin-from-a-gritty-teenage-campaigner-to-mature-dmk-boss/articleshow/65580876.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live}}</ref> During his first tenure, nine major flyovers and 49 bridges were constructed at a cost of {{INRconvert |0.95 |b}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=The case of the flyovers |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article30251255.ece |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=Frontline |date=6 July 2001 |archive-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913185035/https://frontline.thehindu.com/cover-story/article30251255.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> He also worked on improving the standard of corporation-run schools to be on par with private schools.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kolappan |first=B. |date=28 August 2018 |title=An administrator with a good track record |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/an-administrator-witha-good-track-record/article24795862.ece |access-date=13 September 2021 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913173826/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/an-administrator-witha-good-track-record/article24795862.ece |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NIE">{{cite web |title=Reaching the top, one step at a time -- Stalin style |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/may/07/reaching-the-top-one-step-at-a-time-stalin-style-2299391.html |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=The New Indian Express |date=7 May 2021 |archive-date=13 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913180440/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/may/07/reaching-the-top-one-step-at-a-time-stalin-style-2299391.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Parks and fountains were set up at 18 major junctions, 81 parks were renovated, and saplings were planted at Marina Beach.<ref>{{cite news |last=Raman |first=A. Ragu |title=Time to revive call for Singara Chennai |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/time-to-revive-call-for-singara-chennai/articleshow/82698902.cms |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=17 May 2021 |archive-date=14 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914040800/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/time-to-revive-call-for-singara-chennai/articleshow/82698902.cms |url-status=live}}</ref> His efforts in improving city infrastructure earned him the title of ''Managara Thanthai'' (father of the city).<ref name="FE">{{cite web |date=5 April 2021 |title=Tamil Nadu elections: Can MK Stalin finally break away from Karunanidhi's shadow? |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-elections-2021-can-mk-stalin-finally-break-away-from-karunanidhis-shadow/2227274/ |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=The Financial Express |archive-date=27 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927195236/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-elections-2021-can-mk-stalin-finally-break-away-from-karunanidhis-shadow/2227274/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
Stalin was re-elected Mayor for the second time in 2001.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/oct/23tn.htm |title= Stalin re-elected mayor of Madras |access-date=18 November 2006 |archive-date=14 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514071644/http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/oct/23tn.htm |work=Rediff |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2002, the chief minister J. Jayalalithaa enacted the Tamil Nadu Municipal Laws (Amendment) Act, which prevented a person from holding two elected posts in the government.<ref name="NIE" /> Because Stalin was an elected member of the legislative assembly, this law was widely seen as an attempt to remove him as Chennai's mayor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/articleshow?art_Id=13690000 |title=Mayor's office slips out of Stalin's hand-Cities |work=The Times of India |access-date=18 November 2006 |archive-date=10 September 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040910222547/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/articleshow?art_Id=13690000 |url-status=live }}</ref> Madras High Court later struck down the law but held as per the City Municipal Corporation Act, 1919, a person cannot be mayor for two consecutive terms, though unlike Stalin, earlier mayors were not directly elected.<ref name="FE" /> As a result, Stalin resigned from the post.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1020907/asp/nation/story_1176318.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030101200629/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1020907/asp/nation/story_1176318.asp |archive-date=1 January 2003 |work=The Telegraph |title=Blow to Stalin and Jaya Act |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>
=== Minister and deputy chief minister (2006–2011)=== The DMK regained control of the state assembly in the 2006 assembly elections. Stalin became the minister for rural development and local administration in the Government of Tamil Nadu, and retained this office throughout his term. During his tenure, he expanded women's self-help groups across the state by establishing 175,493 new ones. He also established drinking water projects such as the Hogenakkal and Ramanathapuram water schemes.<ref name="TIE" /><ref name="NIE"/> In 2008, he became the DMK's treasurer.<ref name="NDTV" />
On 29 May 2009, the Governor of Tamil Nadu Surjit Singh Barnala appointed Stalin the state's deputy chief minister.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=1&theme=&usrsess=1&id=256056 |title=Stalin named JP deputy CM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040331200719/http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=1 |archive-date=31 March 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=31 May 2009 |work=The Statesman }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/karunanidhi-makes-stalin-deputy-chief-minister/article293666.ece |title=Karunanidhi makes Stalin Deputy Chief Minister |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921150745/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Karunanidhi-makes-Stalin-Deputy-Chief-Minister/article16605744.ece |archive-date=21 September 2023 |work=The Hindu }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/headlines-today-top-stories/story/stalin-appointed-tamil-nadu-deputy-cm-48892-2009-05-28 |title=Stalin appointed Tamil Nadu Deputy CM |date=29 May 2009 |access-date=12 April 2016 |archive-date=25 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425213030/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Stalin+appointed+Tamil+Nadu+Deputy+CM/1/44292.html |url-status=live |work=India Today }}</ref> During his tenure, on 23 February 2011, the Government of Tamil Nadu received a special award for the best state among the largest states in India, and the diamond state award for best state in civil safety, drinking water and sanitation, and women's development.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tamil Nadu & Himachal Pradesh win top honours at IBN7 Diamond States Awards |url=https://www.afaqs.com/media-briefs/47946_tamil-nadu--himachal-pradesh-win-top-honours-at-ibn7-diamond-states-awards |access-date=11 October 2022 |work=Afaqs |date=23 February 2011 |archive-date=11 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011113652/https://www.afaqs.com/media-briefs/47946_tamil-nadu--himachal-pradesh-win-top-honours-at-ibn7-diamond-states-awards |url-status=live }}</ref> The state also won the most number of Nirmal Gram Awards for its exceptional role in maintaining sanitation in villages during Stalin's tenure as the minister of rural development.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trichi in TN bags highest number of Nirmal Gram Awards |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2008/nov/07/trichi-in-tn-bags-highest-number-of-nirmal-gram-awards-5138.html |access-date=11 October 2022 |work=The New Indian Express |date=14 May 2012 |archive-date=11 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011113651/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2008/nov/07/trichi-in-tn-bags-highest-number-of-nirmal-gram-awards-5138.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Opposition leader and DMK president (2016–2021)=== In 2013, Karunanidhi announced Stalin as his successor to head the DMK and confirmed it in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/stalin-is-my-successor-announces-karunanidhi-7513.html |title=Stalin is my successor |date=3 January 2013 |work=India TV}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=DMK chief Karunanidhi names younger son Stalin as his political heir |date=20 October 2016 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/dmk-chief-karunanidhi-names-younger-son-stalin-as-his-political-heir/story-jcIM6BWJ5rMIPwCFhUpdvO.html |work=The Hindustan Times}}</ref> Ahead of the 2016 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, Stalin went on a statewide tour titled ''Namakku Naame''. He won the Kolathur constituency and was appointed opposition leader in the state legislative assembly.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aiadmk-sees-namakku-naame-as-a-vain-exercise/article7839682.ece |title=AIADMK sees 'Namakku Naame' as a vain exercise |last=Ramakrishnan |first=Deepa H. |date=4 November 2015 |work=The Hindu |access-date=11 August 2019 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326025648/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/aiadmk-sees-namakku-naame-as-a-vain-exercise/article7839682.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, Stalin went on another ''Namakku Naame'' tour.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/stalin-plans-another-namakku-naame-tour/article19891275.ece |title=Stalin plans another 'Namakku Naame' tour |date=20 October 2017 |work=The Hindu |access-date=11 August 2019 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326025700/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/stalin-plans-another-namakku-naame-tour/article19891275.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> He was appointed as working president in January 2017 when the health of his father, Karunanidhi, started declining. In 2018, Karunanidhi died and Stalin became president of the DMK.<ref name="TIE" />
Stalin formed the Secular Progressive Alliance in Tamil Nadu and led the alliance in the state in the 2019 Indian general election.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/secular-progressive-alliance-will-romp-home-in-lok-sabha-polls-119033100605_1.html |title=Secular Progressive Alliance will romp home in Lok Sabha polls |agency=Press Trust of India |date=31 March 2019 |work=Business Standard |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=24 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224160114/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/secular-progressive-alliance-will-romp-home-in-lok-sabha-polls-119033100605_1.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/tamil-nadu-news/lok-sabha-elections-2019-dmk-alliance-announces-constituencies-calls-it-secular-progressive-alliance-2008378 |title=DMK Alliance Announces Constituencies, Calls It Secular Progressive Alliance |work=NDTV |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=11 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811221116/https://www.ndtv.com/tamil-nadu-news/lok-sabha-elections-2019-dmk-alliance-announces-constituencies-calls-it-secular-progressive-alliance-2008378 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Secular Progressive Alliance won 39 out of 40 Parliament seats, and 12 out of 21 in the assembly by-elections, in the party's first victory since Stalin took charge as the DMK's president.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/stalin-wins-big-but-gains-little/articleshow/69472678.cms |title=M K Stalin wins big but gains little in Tamil Nadu |date=24 May 2019 |first=D. |last=Govardan |work=The Times of India |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=1 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301133828/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/stalin-wins-big-but-gains-little/articleshow/69472678.cms |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/election-results-2019-mk-stalin-on-dmk-victory-in-tamil-nadu-amazed-north-united-south-astounded-ind-2046617 |title="Amazed North, United South, Astounded India": MK Stalin On DMK Poll Wins |work=NDTV |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-date=24 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224174019/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/election-results-2019-mk-stalin-on-dmk-victory-in-tamil-nadu-amazed-north-united-south-astounded-ind-2046617 |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2021–2026)=== {{further|Chief Ministership of M. K. Stalin|M. K. Stalin ministry}}
Stalin led the campaign for the Secular Progressive Alliance in the 2021 Assembly elections; it won 159 seats out of the 234, with the DMK winning 133 seats, an absolute majority.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tamil Nadu 2021 |url=https://www.indiavotes.com/vidhan-sabha/2021/tamil-nadu/283/www.indiavotes.com/vidhan-sabha/2021/tamil-nadu/283/40 |access-date=11 September 2025 |work=India Votes}}</ref> He was sworn in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu on 7 May 2021, along with the rest of his cabinet.<ref>{{cite news|date=2 May 2021|title=DMK chief MK Stalin wins Kolathur comfortably|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/dmk-chief-mk-stalin-wins-kolathur-comfortably-148174|access-date=13 September 2021|work=The News Minute|archive-date=13 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913185403/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/dmk-chief-mk-stalin-wins-kolathur-comfortably-148174|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=MK Stalin, DMK Chief, Takes Oath As Tamil Nadu Chief Minister|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mk-stalin-dmk-chief-takes-oath-as-tamil-nadu-chief-minister-2436771|access-date=7 May 2021|work=NDTV|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507054957/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mk-stalin-dmk-chief-takes-oath-as-tamil-nadu-chief-minister-2436771|url-status=live}}</ref> He also served as a member of the business advisory committee and committee on rules in the 16th Tamil Nadu assembly.<ref>{{cite web |title=Members of the Standing Committees of the House (2021-2022) |url=https://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/16thassembly/standing_committees.php |work=Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly |access-date=21 June 2022 |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312035152/https://assembly.tn.gov.in/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
After assuming office, Stalin implemented policies offering {{INRconvert|4000}} as one time COVID-19 relief to 20.7 million ration card holders across the state, free bus pass for travel in ordinary intra-city buses for women and reducing the retail price of Aavin milk.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rs 2,000 as COVID time relief, cut in milk price - Stalin issues 1st set of orders after taking oath as TN CM |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/amp/india/tamil-nadu/article/rs-2000-as-covid-time-relief-cut-in-milk-price-stalin-issues-1st-set-of-orders-after-taking-oath-as-tn-cm/754066 |access-date=2 March 2026 |work=Times Now }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=COVID-19 relief: Tokens for financial assistance by May 10 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/covid-19-relief-tokens-for-financial-assistance-by-may-10/article34513310.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508092322/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/covid-19-relief-tokens-for-financial-assistance-by-may-10/article34513310.ece |archive-date=8 May 2021 |access-date=2 March 2026 |work=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tn-cm-stalin-begins-first-innings-with-sops-for-corona-affected-women/article34505148.ece|title=TN CM Stalin begins first innings with benefits for Corona-affected, women|date=7 May 2021|access-date=1 June 2025|work=The Hindu}}</ref> However, the Tamil Nadu Milk Producers Association claimed that the decision to reduce the retail milk prices caused a significant financial loss to Aavin,<ref>{{cite news |date=17 December 2025 |title=Aavin suffered ₹525-crore loss in 2024-25, says Milk Producers' Association |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/aavin-suffered-525-crore-loss-in-2024-25-says-milk-producers-association/article70406757.ece |access-date=28 February 2026 }}</ref> and urging the chief minister to increase the milk procurement rates.<ref>{{cite news |date=4 February 2026 |title=Losing Rs 1.25 for each litre of milk supplied to Aavin, increase price, say farmers |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2026/Feb/04/losing-rs-125-for-each-litre-of-milk-supplied-to-aavin-increase-price-say-farmers |access-date=28 February 2026 |work=The New Indian Express }}</ref> He established a new economic advisory council that included economists Arvind Subramanian, Esther Duflo, Jean Drèze, Raghuram Rajan, and S Narayan.<ref>{{cite web|date=21 June 2021|title=Tamil Nadu: Duflo, Rajan, Dreze Among 5-Member Economic Advisory Council to CM Stalin|url=https://www.newsclick.in/Tamil-Nadu-Dufflo-Rajan-Dreze-5-Member-Economic-Advisory-Council-CM-Stalin|access-date=15 August 2021|work=News Click|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815182115/https://www.newsclick.in/Tamil-Nadu-Dufflo-Rajan-Dreze-5-Member-Economic-Advisory-Council-CM-Stalin|url-status=live}}</ref>
During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in August 2021, Stalin established a war room to monitor the status of beds, ambulances, and oxygen supply.<ref>{{cite news|date=15 May 2021|title=When the Tamil Nadu CM Stalin answered an SOS call at the COVID-19 war room|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/when-the-tn-cm-answered-an-sos-call-at-the-covid-19-war-room/article34564181.ece|access-date=15 August 2021|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815182115/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/when-the-tn-cm-answered-an-sos-call-at-the-covid-19-war-room/article34564181.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> He visited the ESI medical college hospital against expert advice to meet up with patients getting treatment for COVID-19.<ref>{{cite web|title="To Reassure Doctors, Patients": MK Stalin Enters Covid Wards In PPE Suit|url=https://www.ndtv.com/tamil-nadu-news/mk-stalin-enters-covid-wards-in-ppe-suit-to-reassure-doctors-patients-2452427|access-date=15 August 2021|work=NDTV|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815182114/https://www.ndtv.com/tamil-nadu-news/mk-stalin-enters-covid-wards-in-ppe-suit-to-reassure-doctors-patients-2452427|url-status=live}}</ref> The state had the lowest percentage of wastage of COVID-19 vaccines during the free public administration of the same.<ref>{{cite web|date=14 August 2021|title=Announcements & Achievements In Stalin's 100 days As Tamil Nadu Chief Minister|url=https://news.abplive.com/tamil-nadu/100-days-of-stalin-as-tamil-nadu-cm-important-announcements-and-achievements-1476147|access-date=15 August 2021|work=ABP News|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815183133/https://news.abplive.com/tamil-nadu/100-days-of-stalin-as-tamil-nadu-cm-important-announcements-and-achievements-1476147|url-status=live}}</ref> On 2 September 2021, actor and politician Chiranjeevi met with Stalin to commend him on governance efficacy, and stated that Stalin had proved his mettle in handling the pandemic.<ref>{{citation |title=Special Story On Tamilnadu CM MK Stalin Native Place {{!}} Andhra Pradesh {{!}} ABN Telugu | date=9 May 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GaHVJD3JOc |access-date=11 October 2022 |archive-date=11 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011113650/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GaHVJD3JOc |url-status=live }}</ref>
Stalin released the state's first ever standalone agricultural budget on 14 August 2021.<ref>{{cite news |date=14 August 2021 |title=DMK government presents Tamil Nadu's first agriculture Budget |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/dmk-government-presents-tamil-nadu-s-first-agriculture-budget-1019687.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010143846/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/dmk-government-presents-tamil-nadu-s-first-agriculture-budget-1019687.html |archive-date=10 October 2022 |access-date=10 October 2022 |work=Deccan Herald}}</ref> Later in the day, he handed appointment orders from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to trained aspirants of all castes as temple priests in August 2021,<ref>{{cite news|date=14 August 2021|title=DMK govt appoints trained aspirants of all castes as temple priests in Tamil Nadu|url=https://theprint.in/india/dmk-govt-appoints-trained-aspirants-of-all-castes-as-temple-priests-in-tamil-nadu/715315/|access-date=15 August 2021|work=ThePrint|language=en-US|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815184517/https://theprint.in/india/dmk-govt-appoints-trained-aspirants-of-all-castes-as-temple-priests-in-tamil-nadu/715315/|url-status=live}}</ref> quoting that Periyar fought for equal rights in worship for all believers in God.<ref>{{cite news|title=DMK govt in Tamil Nadu appoints trained aspirants of all castes as priests in temples|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/dmk-govt-in-tamil-nadu-appoints-trained-aspirants-of-all-castes-as-priests-in-temples-1840952-2021-08-15|access-date=15 August 2021|work=India Today|date=15 August 2021|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815190620/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/dmk-govt-in-tamil-nadu-appoints-trained-aspirants-of-all-castes-as-priests-in-temples-1840952-2021-08-15|url-status=live}}</ref> On 29 August 2021, he announced that the name of refugee camps of Sri Lankan Tamils would be changed to rehabilitation camps.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nath|first=Akshaya|title=Sri Lankan Tamil Refugee camps to now be called 'rehabilitation camps': MK Stalin|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sri-lankan-tamil-refugee-camps-now-rehabilitation-camps-mk-stalin-1846601-2021-08-29|access-date=17 September 2021|work=India Today|date=29 August 2021 |language=en|archive-date=29 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829083328/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/sri-lankan-tamil-refugee-camps-now-rehabilitation-camps-mk-stalin-1846601-2021-08-29|url-status=live}}</ref>
In September 2021, Stalin announced Periyar's birthday would be celebrated annually as a 'Social Justice day'.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tamil Nadu To Celebrate Periyar's Birthday As 'Social Justice Day', Says CM Stalin|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-tamil-nadu-to-celebrate-periyars-birthday-as-social-justice-day-says-cm-stalin/393750|access-date=17 September 2021|work=Outlook |date=6 September 2021 |archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917162950/https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-tamil-nadu-to-celebrate-periyars-birthday-as-social-justice-day-says-cm-stalin/393750|url-status=live}}</ref> Later in the month, his government withdrew over 5,570 legal cases filed by the previous government in the past ten years including cases against some journalists and those who were involved in protests against the new farm laws and the Citizenship Amendment Act promulgated by the union government, and various government projects such as Kaveri delta coal-bed methane project, India-based Neutrino Observatory, Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, and Chennai-Salem expressway (ta).<ref>{{cite news|date=17 September 2021|title=Tamil Nadu withdraws over 5000 cases against protesters of CAA, farm laws|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tamil-nadu-withdraws-over-5000-cases-against-protesters-caa-farm-laws-155398|access-date=17 September 2021|work=The News Minute|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917161444/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tamil-nadu-withdraws-over-5000-cases-against-protesters-caa-farm-laws-155398|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=17 September 2021|title=Tamil Nadu govt withdraws 5,570 cases filed against protestors since 2011|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-govt-withdraws-5-570-cases-filed-against-protestors-since-2011-101631894425996.html|access-date=17 September 2021|work=The Hindustan Times|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917161448/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-govt-withdraws-5-570-cases-filed-against-protestors-since-2011-101631894425996.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Later in the month, the Madras High Court commended Stalin for his decision to distribute school bags printed with the photos of his predecessor, and not reprinting them.<ref>{{cite news|date=8 September 2021|title=Madras high court slams use of CM photos on school bags & stationery |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/madras-high-court-slams-use-of-cm-photos-on-school-bags-stationery/articleshow/86025415.cms|access-date=19 November 2025|work=The Times of India|issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Santosh|last=Kumar|title=Tamil Nadu: M.K. Stalin decides to forego popularity 'privilege'|work=The Telegraph|date=4 September 2021|access-date=1 June 2025|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/tamil-nadu-m-k-stalin-decides-to-forego-popularity-priviledge/cid/1829299}}</ref> On 18 November 2021, Stalin announced that the state government will bear the expenses of emergency care for all vehicle accident victims for the first 48 hours.<ref>{{cite news |date=18 December 2021 |title=Assembly Speaker M. Appavu inaugurates 'Nammai Kaakkum 48' scheme in Tirunelveli |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/assembly-speaker-m-appavu-inaugurates-nammai-kaakkum-48-scheme-in-tirunelveli/article37986238.ece |access-date=10 October 2022 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=10 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010143842/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/assembly-speaker-m-appavu-inaugurates-nammai-kaakkum-48-scheme-in-tirunelveli/article37986238.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2021, he unveiled a real-time dashboard, which provided relevant information from all the government departments to the chief minister.<ref>{{cite web |last=Menon |first=Amarnath K. |date=29 December 2021 |title=Why 2022 will be a challenging year for M.K. Stalin |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-2022-will-be-a-challenging-year-for-m-k-stalin-1893875-2021-12-29 |access-date=19 November 2025 |work=India Today }}</ref>
In March 2022, Stalin launched the 'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme aimed at providing psychological counselling and medical advice to school students.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 March 2022 |title=Tamil Nadu Chief Minister inaugurates 'Naan Mudhalvan' scheme for students |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-chief-minister-inaugurates-naan-mudhalvan-scheme-for-students/article65143960.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010143844/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-chief-minister-inaugurates-naan-mudhalvan-scheme-for-students/article65143960.ece |archive-date=10 October 2022 |access-date=10 October 2022 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In May 2022, he welcomed the release of A. G. Perarivalan, who was convicted for the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.<ref>{{cite news|date=20 May 2022|title=Tamil Nadu CM hugs Perarivalan on his release, Congress miffed|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tamil-nadu-cm-hugs-perarivalan-his-release-congress-miffed-164197|work=The News Minute|language=en|access-date=21 May 2022|archive-date=20 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520141033/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/tamil-nadu-cm-hugs-perarivalan-his-release-congress-miffed-164197|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=19 May 2022|title=Congress sad, ally DMK hails Rajiv assassination convict release order|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/congress-sad-ally-dmk-hails-rajiv-assassination-convict-release-order/cid/1865761|website=The Telegraph|access-date=21 May 2022|archive-date=21 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521145502/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/congress-sad-ally-dmk-hails-rajiv-assassination-convict-release-order/cid/1865761|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=18 May 2022|title=Stalin meets Perarivalan, Arputhammal, shares picture|url=https://www.dtnext.in/tamilnadu/2022/05/18/stalin-meets-perarivalan-arputhammal-shares-picture|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518140211/https://www.dtnext.in/tamilnadu/2022/05/18/stalin-meets-perarivalan-arputhammal-shares-picture|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 May 2022|work=DT Next}}</ref> On 5 September 2022, he launched a women education support programme titled 'Pudhumai Penn', which offered a monthly stipend of {{INRconvert|1000}} to girls who had completed their schooling in state government schools during their graduation or diploma.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 September 2022 |title=Pudhumai Penn scheme launch in Tamil Nadu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pudhumai-penn-scheme-launch-chief-ministers-stalin-kejriwal-share-dais/article65852744.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003134445/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pudhumai-penn-scheme-launch-chief-ministers-stalin-kejriwal-share-dais/article65852744.ece |archive-date=3 October 2022 |access-date=3 October 2022 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The same was extended to boys later under the name of 'Tamil Pudhalavan' scheme on 14 June 2024.<ref>{{cite news |date=8 August 2024 |title=CM Stalin to launch Tamil Pudhalvan scheme to benefit boys of government schools |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/cm-stalin-to-launch-tamil-pudhalvan-scheme-to-benefit-boys-of-government-schools/article68502602.ece |access-date=1 June 2025 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> On 15 September 2022, his government extended the midday meal scheme in government schools to cover breakfast.<ref>{{cite web |last=Menon |first=Amarnath K. |date=20 September 2022 |title=Why the Stalin government's 'Breakfast Scheme' for schoolchildren is an inspiring model |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-the-stalin-government-s-breakfast-scheme-for-schoolchildren-is-an-inspiring-model-2002491-2022-09-20 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003152923/https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-the-stalin-government-s-breakfast-scheme-for-schoolchildren-is-an-inspiring-model-2002491-2022-09-20 |archive-date=3 October 2022 |access-date=3 October 2022 |work=India Today}}</ref> Later in the month, he launched the Green Tamil Nadu Mission aimed at increasing the green cover in the state from 23.7% to 33% in the next ten years.<ref>{{cite news |date=24 September 2022 |title=CM MK Stalin launches Green TN Mission, urges people to join hands |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/cm-mk-stalin-launches-green-tn-mission-urges-people-to-join-hands-122092400642_1.html |access-date=11 October 2022 |work=Business Standard |archive-date=11 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011113650/https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/cm-mk-stalin-launches-green-tn-mission-urges-people-to-join-hands-122092400642_1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In September 2023, Stalin launched a women's welfare scheme titled 'Magalir Urimai Thittam', which provided a stipend of {{INRconvert|1000}} per month to all women aged 21 years and above, provided their annual household income is less than {{INRconvert|0.25|m}}.<ref>{{cite news |date=15 September 2023 |title=Tamil Nadu CM Stalin launches Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam in Kancheepuram |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-cm-stalin-launches-kalaignar-magalir-urimai-thittam-in-kancheepuram/article67310529.ece |access-date=1 June 2025 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Following the announcement earlier in 2021 that the state government planned to establish TIDEL neo Parks, information technology parks, at various places across Tamil Nadu, the first such park was opened in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=Neo-Tidel Parks to come up in tier-2 and tier-3 Tamil Nadu cities, says CM Stalin |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/neo-tidel-parks-to-come-up-in-tier-2-and-tier-3-tamil-nadu-cities-says-cm/article37645367.ece |access-date=1 June 2024 |work=The Hindu }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=23 September 2024 |title=Stalin opens Neo Tidel Parks in Thanjavur, Salem |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/stalin-opens-neo-tidel-parks-in-thanjavur-salem/articleshow/113602395.cms |access-date=1 June 2025 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> On 4 August 2025, Stalin inaugurated the Vietnamese electric vehicle VinFast manufacturing plant at Thoothukudi, with an investment of US$2 billion (₹16,000 crore) and the creation of over 3,500 jobs within five years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Parthasarathy |first=Anirudh |date=2025-08-04 |title=VinFast's first EV manufacturing plant in India inaugurated in Tamil Nadu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-cm-mk-stalin-inaugurates-india-first-vinfast-ev-manufacturing-plant-in-thoothukudi/article69892600.ece |access-date=2026-03-25 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In December 2025, the state reported a nominal Gross State Domestic Product of {{INRconvert|319|b}} at current prices for the financial year 2024–25, registering a 16% y-o-y growth.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 December 2025 |title=Robust fiscal management, visionary leadership drive T.N.'s economic growth: Thangam Thennarasu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/robust-fiscal-management-visionary-leadership-drive-tns-economic-growth-thangam-thennarasu/article70406555.ece |access-date=18 March 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The real GSDP grew by 11.19%, the first time in 14 years that it had increased by more than ten percent.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ramakrishnan |first=T. |date=5 August 2025 |title=After 14 years, Tamil Nadu records double-digit economic growth in real terms |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/after-14-years-tamil-nadu-records-double-digit-growth-in-real-terms/article69897160.ece |access-date=18 March 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In February 2026, the Tamil Nadu economic survey projected that the state can become a US$1 trillion economy by 2031,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-economic-survey-2026-trillion-dollar-economy-achievable/article70637496.ece|title=Tamil Nadu Economic Survey says trillion-dollar economy achievable at current growth rate|date=16 February 2026|access-date=1 March 2026|work=The Hindu}}</ref> in line with the state government's vision 2030.<ref>{{cite news |title=Our aim is to make Tamil Nadu a $1 trillion economy, says Stalin |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/our-aim-is-to-make-tamil-nadu-a-1-trillion-economy-says-stalin/article35437688.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724023458/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/our-aim-is-to-make-tamil-nadu-a-1-trillion-economy-says-stalin/article35437688.ece |archive-date=24 July 2025 |access-date=18 March 2026 |work=The Hindu}}</ref>
On 5 January 2026, the state government announced the re-launch of free laptop distribution scheme for state-run college students, which had been discontinued during the previous government.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 January 2026 |title=TN CM Stalin launches laptop scheme for college students |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/news/tn-cm-stalin-launches-laptop-scheme-for-college-students-101767670689155.html |access-date=6 January 2026 |work=The Hindustan Times}}</ref> As per the 2021 Manifesto proposed by Stalin and following protests from state government employees to restore the Old Pension Scheme, which was discontinued in 2003, the government announced the introduction of a new assured pension scheme in January 2026.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ramakrishnan |first=T. |date=3 January 2026 |title=Tamil Nadu's new pension scheme broadly follows the guidelines of Old Pension Scheme |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-governments-new-pension-scheme-broadly-follows-the-guidelines-of-old-pension-scheme/article70468074.ece |access-date=5 January 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=8 January 2026 |title=Tamil Nadu, a pioneer in pension reforms two decades back, now reverses course |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/tamil-nadu-taps-pension-reforms-10462466/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108135128/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/tamil-nadu-taps-pension-reforms-10462466/ |archive-date=8 January 2026 |access-date=1 March 2026 |work=The Indian Express}}</ref> On 9 February 2026, Stalin inaugurated a Tata Motors and Jaguar Land Rover multi-energy vehicle plant in Ranipet, built at a cost of approximately US$1.1 billion (₹9,000 crore).<ref>{{cite news |date=9 February 2026 |title=Tata Motors opens ₹9,000-crore Jaguar Land Rover car manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu's Ranipet |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tata-motors-opens-9000-crore-jlr-car-manufacturing-plant-in-ranipet/article70610183.ece |access-date=25 March 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
In April 2026, the union government introduced a constitutional amendment bill to implement a reservation of one third of seats in the Indian parliament and state legislative assemblies to women based on the 2011 census rather than the 2027 census, increase the number of seats in the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850 seats, and carry out a new delimitation of electoral constituencies.<ref name="Delim">{{cite web |last=R |first=Rangarajan |date=20 April 2026 |title=On delimitation and Parliament seats {{!}} Explained |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/on-delimitation-and-parliament-seats-explained/article70880712.ece |access-date=20 April 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Stalin opposed the proposed amendment and called for protests, stating that it would reduce the representation of southern states in parliament due to their comparatively lower population growth compared to the northern states.<ref>{{cite news |date=15 April 2026 |title=Delimitation issue: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin calls for hoisting black flag in houses, public places on April 16 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/delimitation-tamil-nadu-cm-mk-stalin-calls-for-hoisting-black-flag-in-houses-public-places-on-april-16-2026/article70864341.ece |access-date=20 April 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=14 April 2026 |title=Stalin warns of massive protests against delimitation; Revanth calls for united southern front |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/will-not-remain-silent-tn-cm-stalin-warns-of-massive-protest-against-delimitation/article70860568.ece |access-date=20 April 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> However, while the union government verbally proposed a guarantee of 50% pro-rata increase uniformly for all states,<ref name="Delim"/> which would have marginally improved the proportion of representation of southern states,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/will-south-india-lose-seats-after-delimitation-the-maths-explained-amit-shah-women-quota-reservation-bill-lok-sabha-101776397882990.html|title=Will South India lose Lok Sabha seats after delimitation? The math explained|date=17 April 2026|access-date=20 April 2026|work=The Hindustan Times}}</ref> the opposition protested the failure to include such terms in the original draft, and the coupling of women's reservation with the delimitation bill,<ref name="Delim"/> and the bill was subsequently defeated in the Lok Sabha on 17 April 2026.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Sreeparna Chakrabarty |author2=Sobhana K. Nair |date=17 April 2026 |title=Constitution Amendment Bill, part of delimitation package, defeated |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/united-opposition-defeats-constitutional-amendment-bill-for-womens-quota/article70874431.ece |access-date=20 April 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> For 2025–26, the real GSDP real economy growth rate was reported at 10.83% per the data released by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 April 2026 |title=Tamil Nadu does it again with double-digit economic growth |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tamil-nadu-does-it-again-with-double-digit-economic-growth/article70913645.ece |access-date=28 April 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
Following the defeat of the Stalin-led Secular Progressive Alliance in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, Stalin submitted his resignation as the chief minister on 4 May 2026.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 May 2026 |title=M.K. Stalin resigns as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/tamil-nadu-assembly/mk-stalin-resigns-as-tamil-nadu-chief-minister/article70941648.ece |access-date=5 May 2026 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
===Electoral performance=== Stalin unsuccessfully contested the 1984 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, standing for the Thousand Lights constituency in Chennai,<ref name="Result"/> to which he was first elected in 1989.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/stalin-files-nomination-papers-set-to-become-dmk-president/articleshow/65551094.cms |title=Stalin files nomination papers, set to become DMK president |work=The Economic Times |date=26 August 2018 |access-date=9 April 2021 |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122182945/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/stalin-files-nomination-papers-set-to-become-dmk-president/articleshow/65551094.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1991, he contested the same seat for the third time and lost. He had been elected to the assembly consecutively six times since 1996.<ref name="Result"/> In the 2026 assembly election, he lost to V. S. Babu of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from Kolathur, a seat he had held since 2011. He became the first incumbent chief minister to lose the assembly elections in the state since Jayalalithaa in 1996.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dtnext.in/news/tamilnadu/stalin-second-sitting-cm-after-jayalalithaa-to-face-defeat|title=Stalin second sitting CM, after Jayalalithaa, to face defeat |date=4 May 2026|access-date=4 May 2026|work=DT Next}}</ref>
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" style="font-size: 85%" |+Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election ! Year ! Constituency ! colspan=2|Party ! Votes ! % ! Opponent ! colspan=2|Party ! Opponent Votes ! % ! Result ! Margin ! % |- ! 2026 | rowspan="4"|Kolathur | {{Party name with color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|rowspan=10}} | 74,202 | 40.32 | V. S. Babu | {{Party name with color|Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam}} | 82,997 | 45.09 | {{no2|Lost}} | -8,795 | -4.77 |- ! 2021 | 1,05,522 | 60.86 | Aadi Rajaram | {{Party name with color|AIADMK|rowspan=4}} | 35,138 | 20.27 | {{yes2|Won}} | 70,384 | 40.59 |- ! 2016 | 91,303 | 54.25 | J. C. D. Prabhakar | 53,573 | 31.83 | {{yes2|Won}} | 37,730 | 22.42 |- ! 2011 | 68,677 | 48.35 | Saidai Duraisamy | 65,943 | 46.43 | {{yes2|Won}} | 2,734 | 1.92 |- ! 2006 | rowspan="6"|Thousand Lights | 49,817 | 46.00 | Aadi Rajaram | 47,349 | 43.72 | {{yes2|Won}} | 2,468 | 2.28 |- ! 2001 | 49,056 | 51.41 | S. Sekar | {{Party name with color|Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar)|shortname=TMC(M)}} | 41,782 | 43.78 | {{yes2|Won}} | 7,274 | 7.63 |- ! 1996 | 66,905 | 69.72 | Zeenath Sheriffdeen | {{Party name with color|AIADMK|rowspan=4}} | 22,028 | 22.05 | {{yes2|Won}} | 44,877 | 47.67 |- ! 1991 | 38,445 | 39.19 | K. A. Krishnaswamy | 55,426 | 56.50 | {{no2|Lost}} | -16,981 | -17.31 |- ! 1989 | 50,818 | 50.59 | Thambidurai | 30,184 | 30.05 | {{yes2|Won}} | 20,634 | 20.54 |- ! 1984 | 43,954 | 47.86 | K. A. Krishnaswamy | 46,246 | 50.36 | {{no2|Lost}} | -2,292 | -2.50 |}
== Public image and perception == In August 2021, Stalin was ranked first among chief ministers of India in the ''India Today'' "Mood of the Nation" survey.<ref>{{cite web|title=Support for Modi as 'Best Choice for PM' Falls from 66% to 24% in a Year, India Today Poll Finds|url=https://thewire.in/government/narendra-modi-prime-minister-adityanath-india-today-poll|access-date=17 August 2021|work=The Wire|archive-date=17 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817191200/https://thewire.in/government/narendra-modi-prime-minister-adityanath-india-today-poll|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Indian Express'' named Stalin as India's 24th most powerful personality in 2022,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ie100-list-of-most-powerful-indians-in-2019-narendra-modi-amit-shah-mukesh-ambani-gogoi-mohan-bhagwat-6039930/|title=IE100: The list of most powerful Indians in 2019|date=30 September 2019|work=The Indian Express|access-date=14 October 2019|archive-date=28 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328065016/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ie100-list-of-most-powerful-indians-in-2019-narendra-modi-amit-shah-mukesh-ambani-gogoi-mohan-bhagwat-6039930/|url-status=live}}</ref> and 23rd in 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=IE India's 100 Most Powerful People List 2025: Top 100 Powerful Person in India |url=https://data.indianexpress.com/projects/2025/ie-100 |access-date=19 November 2025 |work=The Indian Express }}</ref>
== Awards and accolades == On 1 August 2009, Anna University conferred upon Stalin an honorary doctorate for his contributions to governance and community development.<ref>{{cite news|date=1 August 2009 |title=Rahman, Stalin get honorary doctorates |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/rahman-stalin-get-honorary-doctorates/story-E3U4gzMBfuiwIPJzn85RyN.html |access-date=11 October 2022 |work=The Hindustan Times |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326025324/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/rahman-stalin-get-honorary-doctorates/story-E3U4gzMBfuiwIPJzn85RyN.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.asiantribune.com/node/22046|title=Stalin, Rahman, Annadurai conferred honorary doctorates|work=Asian Tribune|access-date=11 August 2019|archive-date=11 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811200515/http://www.asiantribune.com/node/22046|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/rahman-awarded-doctorate-310195.html|title=A R Rahman to be awarded honorary doctorate|work=News18|date=4 March 2009|access-date=11 August 2019|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326025259/https://www.news18.com/news/india/rahman-awarded-doctorate-310195.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Kentucky Colonel Award, the highest award given by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the United States, was given to Stalin for his public service.<ref>{{cite news|title='Kentucky Colonel' award for DMK leader Stalin |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2012/feb/26/kentucky-colonel-award-for-dmk-leader-stalin-343881.html |access-date=11 October 2022 |work=The New Indian Express |date=16 May 2012 |archive-date=11 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011113648/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2012/feb/26/kentucky-colonel-award-for-dmk-leader-stalin-343881.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He was also honoured as Kentucky's goodwill ambassador.<ref>{{cite news|title='Kentucky Colonel' award for M K Stalin |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-kentucky-colonel-award-for-mk-stalin-1655248 |access-date=11 October 2022 |work=Daily News and Analysis |archive-date=11 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011113651/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-kentucky-colonel-award-for-mk-stalin-1655248 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== See also == *{{Annotated link|2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election}} {{Portal bar|Biography|Politics|India}}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
== References == {{reflist}}
{{s-start}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=M. Karunanidhi}} {{s-ttl|title=Leader of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|Leader of DMK|years= 28 August 2018 – Present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}}
== External links == {{commons category}}
*[http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/12thAssembly/profiles/010.htm Tamil Nadu Assembly Profile]
{{Council of Ministers of Tamil Nadu|state=collapsed}} {{Current Indian chief ministers}} {{Authority control}}
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