While DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin expressed the hope that the party would return to power in the 2016 Assembly elections and M. Karunanidhi, would again become Chief Minister, the party president did not look too enthused by it.
Rather, Mr. Karunanidhi struck a dismal note, saying democracy in the State had plunged to such a low that “anyone with money can win the elections.”
Mr. Stalin’s address at ‘Mupperum Vizha,’ organised by the party on the occasion of its founder C.N. Annadurai’s birth anniversary, has set at rest speculation on his seeking to replace his father as the DMK’s chief ministerial candidate ahead of the polls.
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Mr. Karunanidhi refused to share Mr. Stalin’s optimism, lamenting that though democracy flourished in Tamil Nadu, now the State was facing a situation wherein money decided the outcome of elections. “Let us defeat money power and save democracy,” he told his party workers.
The DMK leader also regretted that despite the efforts of Pitty Thiyagarayar, Periyar and Annadurai, caste continued to hold sway in the State. “People are still in the grip of caste, and untouchability prevails. The untouchables are forced to live on the margins of society. We cannot allow this,” he said, underscoring how he and senior leaders like general secretary Anbazhagan were disappointed by the situation.
On the DMK’s tryst with electoral politics so far, Mr. Karunanidhi said: “We feel like a farmer who will be left with nothing after harvest” and called upon the youth to carry forward the message of the Dravidian Movement.
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Earlier, Mr. Stalin accused the media of indulging in a campaign against the DMK, though Mr. Karunanidhi continued to champion press freedom.