‘We Are Specialists in Making a Comeback’: Stalin Tells DMK Cadres

DMK president M K Stalin on Saturday struck a combative note following the party’s defeat in the recent Assembly elections, asserting that the party is well-equipped to stage a political comeback and regain public support across Tamil Nadu.

Addressing DMK functionaries at the party’s executive committee meeting at Anna Arivalayam, Stalin called for introspection and organisational reforms to strengthen the party ahead of future electoral battles. He advocated age and term limits for party office-bearers and urged the introduction of a transparent system for recruiting new members.

“We are specialists in making a comeback, and we will do it well,” Stalin said, urging cadres to intensify grassroots mobilisation and remain connected with people even while in opposition.

Stalin said the DMK’s political journey could not be defined solely by electoral victories and defeats. Recalling the party’s history, he said its workers had entered politics to fight for public causes and should continue serving people without becoming inactive after an electoral setback.

He asked party workers to begin their outreach at the grassroots level, starting with their own families. “First, campaign among your children and relatives,” he said, urging cadres to secure support within their homes, among relatives and in their neighbourhoods before reaching out to the wider public.

Stalin also said that while the DMK had earlier promised good governance even for those who voted against it, the party would now fight for the welfare of those who did not support it.

Targeting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Stalin alleged that the government was renaming projects introduced by the DMK. He accused Vijay of treating the Legislative Assembly like a “movie set” and delivering “punch dialogues”.

Stalin further urged cadres to recruit new members committed to the party’s ideology and flag, while carrying forward the legacy of C N Annadurai and M Karunanidhi.