Reporter’S Diary: DMK MPs play wise, embrace social media platforms

From delivering quote-worthy maiden speeches in the House to making representations with concerned Ministers for their constituencies, the MPs are showing unusual haste and interest in performing and publicising the same. In less than a month, dozens of representations have been made by the MPs, mostly seeking train extension, new trains and stoppage in their constituencies.

Curiously, at least a dozen DMK MPs, who were aware of the social media presence, have popularised their performance on Twitter, not just relying on the conventional press releases sent by the party high command. Central Chennai MP Dayananidhi Maran was one such who have claimed the credit on behalf of the party on Twitter for the Centre cancelling the bilingual postal recruitment exam conducted recently. However, there were a few like South Chennai MP Tamizhachi Thangapandian, whose maiden speech raised eyebrows even among a few bureaucrats in the State. 

Her “Land of social justice” speech had won appreciation even from traditional DMK critics, some of whom had compared her domineering body language to that late J Jayalalithaa. As if those were not enough, Dharmapuri MP, popularly identified as giant slayer for defeating Anbumani Ramadoss, has made it a habit to connect with voters and political critics via social networking sites. Senthil has dared Puthiya Tamizhagam leader Dr Krishnasamy’s son for a live public debate on the new education policy after the latter had made sarcastic statements about the DMK’s Twitter rage online. Not so long ago, the Dharmapuri MP had organised a meeting to elicit public views by tweeting an invitation.