DMK chief M.K. Stalin flies to London for grandson Inbanidhi's graduation
Synopsis
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M.K. Stalin has flown to London for a purely personal trip — to watch his grandson Inbanidhi collect his university degree. The visit, the first major personal break after the DMK's stinging 2026 electoral defeat, underscores a quieter chapter for a leader who lost both power and his own seat.
Key Takeaways
Stalin departed Chennai International Airport on 4 July aboard an Emirates flight to London via Dubai.
The primary purpose is to attend the graduation of his grandson Inbanidhi , son of Udhayanidhi Stalin , from a London university.
Stalin was accompanied by his wife Durga Stalin ; the couple is due back in Chennai on 18 July .
Senior DMK leaders including T.R.
Sekar Babu gathered at the airport to bid farewell.
The visit is entirely private, with no official or political engagements on the itinerary.
This comes after the DMK's defeat in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election , in which Stalin also lost his own constituency.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin departed for London on Saturday, 4 July on a two-week private visit, primarily to attend the graduation ceremony of his grandson Inbanidhi. Stalin and his wife Durga Stalin are scheduled to return to Chennai on 18 July.
Details of the Departure
Stalin left from Chennai International Airport at approximately 9:50 am aboard an Emirates flight routed via Dubai. He arrived at the airport earlier at around 8:15 am, where senior party figures gathered to see him off. Among those present were former Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, DMK Treasurer T.R. Baalu, Deputy General Secretary A. Raja, former Minister P.K. Sekar Babu, and several other party functionaries.
The Purpose: A Family Milestone
Inbanidhi, the son of Udhayanidhi Stalin, has completed his higher education at a university in London and is set to receive his degree at the institution's convocation ceremony. Stalin is expected to personally congratulate his grandson on the academic achievement. After the ceremony, the family is likely to visit tourist attractions in and around London before returning to India later this month, according to sources.
Entirely Private, No Political Agenda
The visit has been described as entirely private, with no official or political engagements on Stalin's schedule. This comes amid a period of political recalibration for the DMK: the party was voted out of power in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election, and Stalin himself lost his own constituency — one of the most significant reverses of his long political career. Despite the setback, he continues as DMK President and remains actively engaged in guiding the party's organisational direction.
Stalin's Political Journey in Brief
Stalin served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 2021 to 2026 after leading the DMK to victory in the 2021 Assembly election. His government pursued several flagship welfare programmes and infrastructure initiatives during its five-year tenure. The 2026 electoral defeat, however, marked a sharp reversal of the party's fortunes. Stalin is expected to resume regular political engagements after returning to Chennai on 18 July.
Point of View
But prolonged absence from Tamil Nadu politics, however brief, carries risk when rivals are actively filling the vacuum. The real question is what Stalin's political calendar looks like after 18 July, not before it.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has M.K. Stalin gone to London?
M.K. Stalin has travelled to London on a private two-week visit to attend the graduation ceremony of his grandson Inbanidhi, who has completed his higher education at a university there. The trip is entirely personal, with no official or political engagements scheduled.
Who is Inbanidhi and what is his connection to M.K. Stalin?
Inbanidhi is the son of former Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, making him M.K. Stalin's grandson. He has completed a university degree in London and is receiving it at the institution's convocation ceremony during Stalin's visit.
When will M.K. Stalin return to Chennai?
Stalin and his wife Durga Stalin are scheduled to return to Chennai on 18 July, after spending approximately two weeks in the United Kingdom. He is expected to resume regular party and political activities shortly after his return.
Who came to see M.K. Stalin off at the airport?
Several senior DMK leaders gathered at Chennai International Airport to bid farewell, including former Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, DMK Treasurer T.R. Baalu, Deputy General Secretary A. Raja, and former Minister P.K. Sekar Babu, along with other party functionaries.
What is the current political status of M.K. Stalin and the DMK?
Despite leading the DMK to power in 2021, Stalin's government was voted out in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election, and he also lost his own constituency. He continues as DMK President and remains active in guiding the party's organisational and political affairs.
