‘The crowd that comes to see Stalin will not convert into votes. He has only changed his attire and not attitude'

As DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin on his ‘Namakku Naame’ programme, never misses an opportunity to hit out at the AIADMK government, the Ministers and second-rung leaders have stepped up their retaliation saying that his tour was an exercise in vain.
Party leaders, who have been addressing public meetings and distributing pamphlets explaining the achievements of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s government, have asserted that the crowd that comes to see Mr. Stalin would not convert into votes.
“Mr. Stalin has embarked on a tour since he knows he has no future in Tamil Nadu politics. He has only changed his attire and not attitude,” alleged R.V. Udhaya Kumar, Revenue Minister and secretary of AIADMK’s Amma Peravai.
Addressing a meeting at Salem recently, Mr. Udayakumar quipped that the title, ‘Namakku Naame’ went to show that the DMK leadership was keen on keeping everything for its family.
“The DMK had been in power five times. Even when he was the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Stalin did not bother to meet the people. Driven by hunger for power, he is touring the State,” he alleged.
AIADMK spokesperson C.R. Sarawathi sought to dismiss the presence of crowd in Mr. Stalin’s programmes, saying that the people had come out to see him out of curiosity.
“The election fever has forced the DMK to reach out to a few public groups. On the other hand, we are facing the election with confidence. Mr. Stalin is in politics for such a long time and what is the sudden need for a tour now,” she asked.
Asked whether the ruling party was forced to take note of Mr. Stalin’s tour, she said the AIADMK had nothing to fear.
“We have a solid vote bank and we seek vote on the plank of our government’s achievements. But he is admitting and apologising for the DMK government’s misrule,” Ms. Saraswathi added.
Explaining why the ruling party had joined issue with Mr. Stalin, AIADMK’s propaganda wing deputy president Nanjil Sampath said the party had the responsibility to explain the truth since Mr. Stalin was making sweeping comments without any basis against a benevolent government.
“We have to give proper replies to all the allegations to boost the morale of our party cadre,” he said rejecting the argument that there was an anti-incumbency wave.
Mr. Sampath said the government was functioning without any hitch even though the Chief Minister was in Kodanad.
“She has been taking decisions without any delay. She has taken steps to control toor dhal prices,” he said.