A democratic process has been tweaked to suit its needs to pave way for the continuance of the ‘Dynasty system’ in the DMK. In the recent organizational poll, Stalin and his sister MP Kanimozhi bagged coveted positions.
It is another stage-managed spectacle to befool its lakhs of cadres –UPees (undan pirava –meaning breathers without blood relations-a term is being used to call party workers) who, the ordinary grass root workers, can ever imagine for a minute to dream of any party posts. In DMK it is a common factor that people with longer period in the party and having close relations with the first family or helping them to amass wealth working like chieftains are favoured ones. Grassroot workers are used for menial errands like campaigning, banner and posting pasting, wall graffities, to attend, mobilise and organize protests, agitations and spread false narratives, intimidate, attacking political opponents, land grabbing, extortions, drug peddling, sexual attacks and illegal activities.
BJP national president J P Nadda speaking at a function in September last, described DMK, a ‘Dynastic Money Swindling Katta Panchayat (Kangaroo Court)’. “DMK has no interest in development and is only interested in perpetuating a dynasty which is starkly opposed to the concept of democracy. He said, “It is the DMK ideology, the family is the one running the show. It is bringing in dynasty, and they are swindling all the money. They run the government to benefit the family. From police station to everywhere else, there is katta panchayat” he elaborated.
The recent inner party polls once again re-established Nadda’s charges. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M K Stalin was unanimously elected as president of the party at the general council meeting held in Chennai on 9th October. Party veterans Duraimurugan and T R Baalu were unanimously elected as general secretary and treasurer respectively; they were also the only leaders to have filed nominations for the key party posts. Stalin, the younger son of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, has held several party posts, including that of DMK treasurer and youth wing secretary. He was elected for the top party post in 2018 following Karunanidhi’s death. Stalin’s younger sister Kanimozhi was elected the deputy general secretary. MK Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi Stalin, 41, who is also a Tamil film producer and actor, was elevated as the new youth wing secretary in June 2019. A first time MLA, Udhaya Nidhi, will soon be elevated for a maiden ministerial berth to take on the sceptre from his father Stalin. It is being rumoured that Stalin’s son-in-law Sabreesan is a defector CM and key decisions like awarding key contracts are being taken by the kitchen cabinet comprising his wife, son, daughter, son-in-law and a cohort of their close friends.
It is history, after the demise of its founder Annadurai, his father Karunanidhi became its president for just 20 years in 1969 and remained unquestionable chief till he breathed last in 2018 July. “His manipulative skills helped him to become CM bypassing number Nedunchezhiayanand other seniors including founders of the party, with MGR’s support. He ensured that no one could have the guts and gumption to think of heading the party. To make an obstacle free ascension to his second son Stalin, he expelled Vaiko on flimsy grounds from the party and earlier forced MGR to resign when sought details of party accounts. He also did not allow his elder son M K Azhagiri who posed a serious challenger to Stalin and was expelled from the party. In following his father’s footsteps, Stalin got himself elected a second time unopposed after ensuring no other nominations were filed by any party seniors. Like his father, Stalin forced senior politician and former Union Minister Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan to resign by side lining her in the party affairs. This was to thwart Kanimozhi, who is suspected of like to wage a war, Eknath Shinde like repulsion, she is now being made as deputy general secretary. The party general council is now filled with blood relatives or ‘yes-men’ category seniors. In DMK’s history no SC/ST people rose to the top level which preaches social justice for others” said political commentator Priya Venkatadri.
Apart from the election, his speech on the meeting has become the talk of the town. It is an attention grabbing, sympathy making, showing victim card nature. He did not condemn or pull up the seniors who have been making Hindu phobic rants. He also tried to be in favour of spiritualism by inaugurating yearlong Saint Vallalar celebrations. He gimmicks to hoodwink the public and divert attention from steep raise in property tax, power consumption charges, corruption charges against ministers and overall failures.
On his Thanksgiving speech, Stalin said “my position is a like a drum that gets beaten on both sides as I am the chief of the party as well as the Chief Minister. They will blame me if it rains heavily or if there is poor rainfall. I am handling the dual responsibility, some party seniors including ministers are giving sleepless nights. I am helpless if they and office bearers cause more anguish with their conduct. I am duty bound to answer to the criticism and attacks from all sides. Every morning I get up with the hope that our people will not have created any trouble. Sometimes, I am unable to sleep. You can realize it by seeing my body and health conditions. Your action should bring laurels to the party and not denigrate it. The party was subjected to ridicule and shame because of the behaviour of some.(he was referring to seniors like A Raja, Ponmudi, TKS Elangovan, Bharati, Senthil Kumar and others for stirring up controversies) Except bathroom and the bedroom, we are being constantly watched. The private space has shrunken. We should be careful. The mobile phones have become the third. You are monitored every minute (is it a warning or precaution?). Party functionaries should not play into the hands of enemies waiting to distort the speeches”.
