Chennai: Contending that the post of presidentship of the DMK was more of responsibility rather than a decorative position, DMK president M. K. Stalin said his sole aim is to dislodge the ‘spineless’ AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu and send the BJP government at the Centre, packing home.
“I realise that a huge responsibility rests on me to lead the contingents of lakhs and lakhs of dedicated soldiers carrying the ‘flame of intent’ set by our Kalaignar who nurtured us,” Mr. Stalin said in a letter to his party men after taking up the reins as party president at the general council meeting at Anna Arivalayam here on Tuesday.
The DMK’s goal, he stressed, is to dislodge the BJP government at the Centre which was weakening the country in every sphere of activity be it socio-political or others, and also the ‘spineless’ AIADMK government, which is losing "self-respect," and "pledging the state's rights." Both the parties should be defeated and sent packing home. “Let us win polls and make it as an offering to our Kalaignar,” he urged.
DMK had been repeatedly accusing the AIADMK government of being "subervient" to the Centre since the demise of its supremo J. Jayalalithaa and also of compromising on the rights of Tamil Nadu.
He also condemned the arrest of five Left-wing activists by Maharashtra police, as a reflection of an 'authoritarian' mindset by the BJP-led NDA government, saying dissent was essential to democracy.
“The brazen attempt by the Union Govt to imprison its critics reflects an authoritarian mindset that disregards civil rights. The space for dissent is essential to every democracy. I urge the Govt to drop all such unconstitutional actions immediately. #DefendDissent," he tweeted, a day after accusing the BJP-led government of attempting to 'saffronise' the country.
‘Saddened at unfortunate demise of Harikrishna’
DMK president M. K. Stalin has expressed grief over the ‘unfortunate demise’ of Nandamuri Harikrishna, brother-in-law of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and son of N.T. Rama Rao, in a road mishap near Nalgonda on Wednesday.
“I was saddened to learn about the most unfortunate demise of your brother-in-law and senior leader of Telugu Desam Party, Mr. Nandamuri Harikrishna. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Your family will be in our thoughts during this difficult period of mourning. Once again, I extend my deepest sympathies to you and your extended family,” Mr. Stalin said in a letter to Mr. Chandrababu Naidu.
Nandamuri Harikrishna had died in a car crash while driving at a high speed and not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, media reports quoting a senior police official said.
The actor-politician was thrown out of the car after it hit the median and fell on the other side of the road. The car doors were flung open due to the impact.
