Stalin Accuses BJP of Employing 'Delhi Formula' to Intimidate DMK in Tamil Nadu
In a fiery address in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of attempting to replicate what he termed the 'Delhi formula' in the southern state. Stalin alleged that the Union government is using false cases and intimidation tactics against the DMK, mirroring actions taken against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) founder and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Allegations of Political Targeting and False Imprisonment
Stalin directly linked Kejriwal's imprisonment to BJP's fear of electoral competition in Delhi. He stated that Kejriwal was falsely implicated by an investigation agency and jailed because the BJP is afraid to face elections in the national capital. "We are neither slaves nor cowards to get intimidated by such threats," Stalin declared, addressing DMK's west zone booth committee members. He emphasized that the DMK would confront these threats with unwavering courage.
The Chief Minister posed pointed questions to the BJP, asking if the party could "return the days" spent in jail by Kejriwal and his colleague Manish Sisodia due to what he called false cases. He further challenged whether the BJP would be willing to conduct fresh elections in Delhi, implying that the current administration lacks legitimate public support.
Contrasting Alliances and Accusations of Opportunism
Stalin highlighted the growing strength of the DMK-led alliance, attributing it to the party's courage in opposing the BJP. "My objective is not to ensure DMK's victory alone. I want to unite all the forces opposing the BJP and succeed together," he asserted. He contrasted this with the AIADMK front, led by General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), which he labeled as "opportunistic."
Referring to EPS's remarks, Stalin claimed that the AIADMK-BJP alliance is merely electoral and will dissolve post-elections. He accused the BJP of being the "ringmaster" of this opposition alliance, with AIADMK "performing according to the ringmaster's orders." Stalin alleged that AIADMK allied with the BJP not only for electoral gains but also to seek protection from legal cases.
He also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for praising late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, suggesting it was an election tactic. "Did you forget Amit Shah's allegation in the past that AIADMK govt was the most corrupt in the country?" Stalin questioned, arguing that such appreciation was meant to divert public attention from the Union budget's lack of announcements for Tamil Nadu.
Electoral Preparedness and Booth-Level Strategy
Turning to practical electoral matters, Stalin outlined a detailed strategy for the upcoming polls. He revealed that booth agents have been assigned a target of 350 votes per booth. Meeting this target is projected to translate into more than 2.60 crore votes, potentially securing over 200 seats for the alliance. He urged party cadres to remain active for the next two months, instructing each functionary to meet every voter at least five times to ensure robust grassroots engagement.
Humanitarian Gesture Amid Political Rally
In a poignant moment during his Coimbatore visit, Chief Minister Stalin also visited the home of an eight-year-old girl who suffered brain death and had her organs donated. He paid floral tributes to the child and consoled her father, a DMK councillor, and other family members, demonstrating a blend of political duty and personal compassion during his tour.
Stalin's speech underscores the escalating political tensions in Tamil Nadu as elections approach, with the DMK positioning itself as a bulwark against what it perceives as BJP's coercive tactics, while simultaneously mobilizing its base through meticulous electoral planning.
