Stalin questions OPS’s silence while in power

Clarifying that DMK had no qualm about the AIADMK cadre using Jayalalithaa’s portrait to popularise their deceased leader, Stalin reiterated that they were only objecting to the use of a convict’s photograph in government offices and her name for government schemes. 

The Leader of Opposition was responding to Panneerselvam’s statement on Saturday in which the latter said the DMK leader’s remarks smacked of ‘political indecency.’ 

Wondering as to what initiatives did Panneerselvam took while he was the chief minister to unearth the mystery surrounding Jayalalithaa’s death Stalin questioned OPS’s silence then. He said, “OPS raised doubts about Jayalalithaa’s death only two months after her demise, that too after he was stripped of his CM post.” 

Accusing AIADMK functionaries of making it a habit to forget Jayalalithaa, who gave them posts, Stalin said they later exploit her portrait and memorial for political gains once they lose party positions. “People of Tamil Nadu were watching the peculiar politics of the AIADMK, wherein its leaders, who covered up her death for selfish political gains earlier, were suddenly demonstrating loyalty to their late leader now.”

Gift books, not artificial shawls Writing for the party mouthpiece ‘Murasoli,’ Stalin urged the cadre to avoid all pompous celebrations on his birthday, March 1. The DMK has been celebrating the day as youth uprising day. He asked the party men to avoid hoardings and posters, besides the habit of prostrating before the leaders. This was to uphold the self-respect principles, the DMK working president wrote. He Recalled party founder CN Annadurai’s request to the cadre to gift handloom shawls instead of expensive artificial ones to help the poor weavers. Stalin urged his cadre to gift books on the occasion and also make it a habit to gift books in all DMK functions to promote reading habit.