Chennai, Mar 26 (PTI) DMK leaders Kanimozhi Somu and Thamizhachi Thangapandian on Thursday claimed that the “Dravidian Model” of governance has already secured a “repeat mandate” through its transformative welfare schemes.
The Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23.
The DMK leaders characterised the BJP’s outreach in Tamil Nadu as a “vote-seeking exercise” devoid of actual funding, while dismissing the AIADMK’s recent political moves as a “hasty” imitation of DMK policies.
The DMK’s fulfilment of 478 out of 500 electoral promises would pave the way for a “massive absolute majority” and the launch of “Dravidian Model 2.0” in 2026, they said.
Somu, a Rajya Sabha member, leveled sharp criticism at the AIADMK’s candidate selection and policy framework.
“I am very sorry to say there was no woman’s name found on the (AIADMK) candidature list,” Somu told PTI Videos, adding that the opposition’s manifesto appeared to be a “cut-copy-paste of the DMK manifesto of 2021”.
She further labeled the AIADMK and BJP alliance’s previous promises as “jumla (gimmick)”, specifically citing unfulfilled 2016 pledges for free Wi-Fi and mobile phones.
“The AIADMK and the BJP in coalition have the same trend of telling one thing in the election and not doing that for the people,” Somu stated.
Thangapandian framed the upcoming electoral battle as a choice between local progress and Central neglect.
“This election is between the Dravidian model of Tamil Nadu and against the betrayal of Delhi,” she asserted.
The Lok Sabha member listed a series of grievances against the Union government, including the withholding of disaster funds, GST dues, and Metro rail funding.
On the issue of law and order, Thangapandian defended the state’s record by highlighting the accountability of the current administration. “We are not going to say just look at Hathras or Unnao… we are accountable, we are responsible,” Thangapandian told PTI Videos, contrasting the “quick and prompt” arrests in Coimbatore and Anna University sexual harassment incidents with the previous regime’s handling of the Sathankulam custodial deaths.
Both leaders redefined the party’s welfare measures as essential tools for social justice rather than mere “freebies”.
Thangapandian described the schemes as being based on the principle of “equality of opportunity for all”.
Addressing the Prime Minister’s frequent “dynasty politics” remarks, she dismissed them as a “cliché”.
She emphasised that positions in the DMK are earned, stating, “Nothing has been given to you on a platter… the leader recognises loyalty”. PTI JR JR KH
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.