Reasons for DMK's Election Defeat

## Reasons for DMK's Election Defeat

Former Chief Minister and DMK President Stalin requested a list of reasons for the DMK's recent election defeat. Here they are:

### **Key Reasons for the Election Defeat:**

* **Arrogance and Anti-People Stance:**

The arrogant behavior of party members and the anti-people attitude of the MLAs were major reasons for this defeat. In particular, the tragic situation where ministers themselves assaulted the public caused great outrage among the people.

* **Giving Opportunities to Those with Criminal Backgrounds:**

Giving tickets to controversial figures like Kathiravan, who was implicated in kidney transplant irregularities, undermined the party’s credibility.

* **Corruption and Drug Links:**

Layered irregularities in sand smuggling and TASMAC administration, along with close links between party members and individuals like Jaffer Sadiq—who is involved in an international drug trafficking case—have severely tarnished the party's reputation.

* **Severe Tax and Fee Hikes:**

Increasing property and professional taxes by over 50% and raising electricity tariffs twice in a short period caused severe dissatisfaction among the common public.

* **Suppression of Critics:**

The trend of silencing and jailing those who point out government mistakes and shortcomings, such as the case of Savukku Shankar, has created an image of the government being anti-democratic.

### **Immediate Corrections Needed by DMK:**

1. **Immediate Action Against Anarchists:**

The DMK must immediately remove ministers and MLAs who acted arrogantly toward the public from party positions to regain trust.

2. **Abandoning Outdated Strategies:**

The party must immediately stop continuing the outdated 1960s political strategy of thinking that criticizing Brahmins and the Hindu community will help consolidate other votes for victory.

3. **Equal Opportunities:**

Following the approach adopted by actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the party must provide sufficient opportunities for members of the Brahmin community to contest elections as well.

4. **Compassionate Approach Toward Petitioners:**

When the public comes to voice their grievances, they must be spoken to with kindness, given consideration, and provided with a comforting response. Actions like that of Chief Minister Stalin—who, while near an election, snatched a petition from a crying woman in a dismissive manner, gave it to a security guard without looking back, and walked away—created a very negative impact among voters. Everyone, from the Chief Minister to the ordinary party worker, must abandon this dismissive attitude.

*(While there are many other points to be made, only the most important ones have been listed here.)*