The soaring mercury levels in the State capital have kept pace with an equally hot political climate in Tamil Nadu. But DMK leader M.K. Stalin has found a novel way to beat the heat and discuss political developments at the same time — he has made it a routine to chill out on the sands of the Marina beach, accompanied by senior party leaders and friends.
“I have been visiting the beach for the last one month. On Saturday, even after the public meeting, I spent some time there. Our leader Kalaignar used to visit the beach regularly when he was active,” the DMK leader told The Hindu.
Mr. Stalin is normally accompanied by senior party leaders like Duraimurugan, K. Ponmudi, former Chennai Mayor Ma. Subramaniam and MLA Sekar Babu. “Whoever is available in Chennai make it a point to visit the beach. We discuss political developments and other issues,” he said.
Seated on plastic chairs, the DMK leader and his entourage repose on the beach for around two hours. Though Mr. Stalin has high-level security cover, he does not let that prevent the free movement of the public on the beach.
Instead, the security personnel stand guard at a distance.
Spread on a small table in front of him are water bottles, thengai , mangai , pattani , sundal and murukku — a beach-goer’s delight.
“What would you like to eat,” he would ask passersby who come to meet him.
“A lot of people approach me and make requests for taking selfies. They are also keen on knowing my views on political developments. I could see that they are fed up with the present dispensation and want it gone,” the DMK leader said.
