Trichy: DMK president M K Stalin has alleged that the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) secured victory in the recent assembly election by leveraging Instagram and deploying children to campaign among family members. He asserted that the DMK continues to rule the state as long as its welfare schemes remain in force. Stalin made these remarks while speaking at a family event of Tiruvarur MLA 'Poondi' K Kalaivanan in Thanjavur on Monday.
Stalin's Remarks on TVK's Campaign Strategy
Without directly naming TVK or its chief minister C Joseph Vijay, Stalin pointed out that unlike the DMK, TVK's leaders did not meet voters, hold conferences, or appoint booth and counting agents. Despite this, TVK still won the election, and Stalin acknowledged that there was nothing wrong with it. He stated, "They (TVK) used social media, especially Instagram, and made children campaign for them. They employed a strategy of getting children to convince their fathers, mothers, grandfathers, and grandmothers to vote for them." He added, "Hereafter, we should be vigilant and thwart such strategies."
Welfare Schemes and DMK's Continued Influence
Stalin revealed that he had urged the new government to continue the welfare schemes introduced by his administration. He noted, "TVK government is implementing those very schemes. That is why I say we (DMK) are still in power." Recalling his election campaign speech where he claimed that nobody could change the achievements for women and students, Stalin remarked, "As long as the schemes continue, the Dravidian model government will continue."
Committee to Analyze Defeat
Stalin announced that a committee had been formed to introspect on the reasons for the DMK's defeat. "Starting from today, the committee will inspect each constituency, identify the shortcomings, and analyse the reasons," he said. He encouraged party workers and the public to register their feedback on the party's website. Expressing optimism, he stated, "We will return to power. We should work with that hope," while urging workers not to be dejected.
DMK's Resilience and Future Plans
Stalin emphasized that DMK's enemies may think the party's story is over, but he highlighted the party's history of rising again like a Phoenix after defeats. He expressed regret, saying, "My only grievance is that had we got an extension, we would have done more work." He confirmed that the DMK would now fulfill its duty as the opposition by organizing protests and demonstrations.
Later, Stalin posted on X that the DMK would not hinder the TVK government in carrying out its administration. However, he warned that if TVK attacked the DMK with slander to hide its incompetence, his party would provide clarifications. He appealed to the public to break the truth if lies were spread on social media.
