It’s a do-or-die battle for democracy, defending the core of India: Stalin

“Leaders like Akhilesh Yadav, (Arvind) Kejriwal, Uddhav Thackeray, Mamata Banerjee and Tejashwi Yadav, they are all in it with us. We are united in this fight, recognising the gravity of the moment… In the coming elections, a dynamic young leader like Rahul Gandhi is set to dismantle that cultivated image of Modi and the broader RSS narrative,” Stalin said, calling it “a do-or-die battle for Indian democracy itself”.

Referring to The Indian Express report on cases against Opposition leaders getting stalled or delayed after they moved to the BJP, Stalin said: “After a decade in power, rather than showcasing their achievements, the Modi government is busy dredging up the past, pointing fingers at stalwarts like Pandit Nehru and Indira Gandhi. And what’s their main agenda now? Seemingly, keeping the Opposition in check, using every tool at their disposal, with even the Election Commission looking the other way as Opposition leaders face arrest.”

He said that the BJP appeared to have decided to use the RTI too for its purposes, referring to the Katchatheevu issue raised by the party to attack the Indira Gandhi government based on an RTI reply. “Because they fear that people may not believe Modi’s words anymore, they have roped in RTI,” he said.

Asserting that the DMK had always been true to its ideology of social justice, resting on the principle of “Everything for Everyone”, apart from its belief in the rights of states and “a deep passion for language”, the DMK leader said the BJP “plays a different game”. “They fan religious sentiments, breed hatred, and marinate politics in RSS ideology. Today, they have Modi as their front man. It was someone else yesterday, and it will be yet another face tomorrow.”

He also accused the Modi government of leaving Tamil Nadu with no choice but to approach the Supreme Court over funds. “Financial aid is not a favour, it is our right legally speaking… Tell me, when did the Modi government last call a meeting of CMs to sort out these so-called administrative issues? They (the BJP) love to talk about vibrant democracy and cooperative federalism, but where is it really? In practice, it’s non-existent.”

Stalin also addressed the issue of political corruption, in the context of the Supreme Court judgment on electoral bonds, saying it was “no secret that the financial demands regarding running a party have skyrocketed”. The key issue, he said, was “transparency”.

On why the DMK had never aspired for a more prominent national role, Stalin said: “You have got to understand that the DMK’s role in Indian politics is not just about snagging a few ministerial spots at the Centre… The DMK has been instrumental in shaping the national leadership, playing a key role in the selection of Prime Ministers like V P Singh, (H D) Deve Gowda, (I K) Gujral, and Manmohan Singh… There were instances when high offices like that of the President, Vice-President and even Prime Minister could have been within Kalaignar’s reach. He humbly said, ‘I know my height’. But make no mistake, in the political landscape of India, Kalaignar and the DMK are towering figures.”