Stalin’s pat for CEO comes with advice

“Violence-free elections are the cultural symbol of Tamil Nadu (politics) and the award should encourage him (the CEO) to prevent ruling party excesses and irregularities during elections in future,” Stalin said. The DMK, which lost power by a little less than 30 seat margin had been highly critical of the EC, particularly CEO Rajesh Lakhoni with the party leaders even attributing AIADMK victory to the alleged support extended by the election machinery in the state. 

The party also petitioned the Chief Election Commissioner against Lakhoni during May 2016 poll. In another statement, Stalin congratulated Para-Olympian Mariappan and other Padma awardees in the state. He expressed happiness over Sharad Pawar and K J Yesudas being honoured with the second highest civilian award ‘Padma Vibhushan’ for their contribution to Indian politics and music respectively. He congratulated Jaggi Vasudev on receiving the Padma Vibhushan and said he respects the decision to honour Tughlak Editor late Cho Ramasamy. The DMK working president conveyed his wishes to other awardees from state.

The Leader of Opposition also congratulated Thanthi TV on being awarded by the President for raising awareness among the electorate.

Stalin has promised a memorial for the student protesters on the Marina when DMK comes to power. He said, “this is to recognise their struggle to protect the culture and tradition of Tamil Nadu.” The DMK working president announced this here while speaking at the memorial event to remember those who lost their lives in the Anti-Hindi agitations of 1965. He said that police were forced to create violence and unleash a brutal assault on jallikattu protesters on the cloak of handling anti-social elements. “Such a struggle or situation would not have come to pass if DMK had been in power,” he said.