Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has stated that the decision on who will serve as Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly will be made by the DMK leadership, not by him, after the party lost power in the 2026 assembly elections. His father, Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin, conceded defeat in the Kolathur constituency, marking his first electoral loss in 35 years.

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor Vijay, emerged as the single largest party by winning 108 of the 234 seats, while the DMK won fewer seats and lost its majority. Udhayanidhi Stalin retained his Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni seat by over 7,000 votes, despite trailing in early rounds of vote counting.

When asked by NDTV whether young leaders should take over the party's leadership, Udhayanidhi said generational change was welcome but emphasized that the DMK had always supported youth representation. He reiterated the party's commitment to accept the electorate's verdict and work for the people.

The DMK is expected to hold a leadership meeting in the coming days to decide its legislative strategy and designate an official opposition leader. The assembly's first session will convene next month, where the opposition leader will be formally recognized.