Chennai: A day after his older son became Cabinet Minister at the Centre, DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi ensured his younger son too had no reason to complain.
He elevated him to the post of Deputy Chief Minister in the state.
Stalin's takeover formalises his unofficial role as the DMK's heir apparent and completes Karunanidhi's balancing act with his family.
"This responsibility has been given to me due to my father's ill health. A few of his portfolios too have come to me. But I'm the same always. A lot of developmental work needs to be done and we will continue to work," Stalin said.
Officially, of course, Karunanidhi cites his bad health as the reason.
"I am wheel bound now after the spinal surgery in February and I'm unable to give full attention. Even the Finance Minister could not accept more responsibilities and hence I'm retaining just a few portfolios and Stalin will serves as Deputy Chief Minister with additional portfolios," he said.
But even now the balancing act may not be over.
The brothers who were up in arms till a few years ago will now have clearly defined roles -- the elder brother at the Centre and the younger at the state. But the big question is what role will Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi have?
Stalin's supporters say he has paid his dues -- as Chennai's Mayor, as the man who revived the party's youth wing, and recently as the DMK's star campaigner. But it is a long journey for the DMK from a cadre based party wedded to Dravidian ideology to now a full-fledged family enterprise.