DMK -- The Institution with a legacy of innovation

In this article, Rajyasabha MP from DMK, TKS Elangovan, explains how Tamil Nadu's opposition party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has been interacting with the masses, helping them during the pandemic. Elangovan says that DMK has always stood up for the rights of the people and is trying to create its digital space through various virtual campaigns.

Hyderabad: Chants of 'Hindi Ozhiga, Tamil Vazhga' have been in the air not just from last July, but from as early as 1965, when the Union Government decided to make Hindi the official language. The protests were so powerful that it catapulted the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to shake the roots of the central government. The DMK has had a history of engaging in innovative campaigns in order to spread its message and urge people to make those elected to power to be accountable. Further, it has a long history of struggle, never hesitating to involve itself in supporting people against those who oppress them. One of the proud examples of our party’s protests was 'Karunchattai Padai' in 1945 which was launched to unite the people to raise their voice against the problems they were facing without having to identify with any party affiliation.

To its credit, the DMK is also perhaps the only party to have published hundreds of weekly magazines and daily newspapers like Puratchi, Sanganatham, Kumaran and Murasoli. This was used not just as a medium to propagate the ideology, but to also educate the citizens and make them politically conscious.

Now, DMK leader, M K Stalin, is following the path of the founding fathers of the party by constantly engaging with the people of Tamil Nadu, traveling around 11,000 kilometers, and interacting with the masses across the length and breadth of the state. Though the pandemic has crippled the country in ways that no one expected, the DMK, under Stalin’s leadership has upheld its tenets of serving and working for the people. The DMK made use of the lockdown to venture into the digital space as it offers the scope and potential to impact the citizenry positively. Though, unfortunately it remains untapped in Tamil Nadu.

The party’s brainchild, ‘Ondrinaivom Vaa’, paved the way to serve people by delivering 76 lakh essential kits to homes, 26 lakh Food packets with the help of 239 NGOs and 36,100 enrolled volunteers. Upholding the role of a responsible opposition, we also collected the grievances of over 7 lakh people, and submitted the same to the Government for prompt action. Adding to all the work that was undertaken, the party also introduced a helpline number through which people continue to seek help for various essential items for their daily needs. What they are requesting for is being delivered at their doorstep by the cadres and leaders. With people remaining clueless as to where to knock for getting redressal for the problems they are facing, our leader Stalin is engaging the people through video conferences, patiently listens to their grievances, and provides timely solutions, which is ideally the Chief Minister's responsibility. Through this massive effort, we have reached our goal -- serving the people of Tamil Nadu. Having helped over 4 crore people, we are also glad that the State Government took inspiration from our initiative in conducting District Level Meetings with officials responsible for the increase in the pandemic outbreak.

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It is no secret that the Centre has used this crisis to its advantage, by passing bills such as the National Education Policy and the Environmental Impact Assessment. Though people have not been able to put their foot on the ground and make their voices heard against the oppression, the DMK remains as ever the party committed to making the voices of the oppressed and the downtrodden heard. A party that continues to be a strong shield in upholding and protecting the rights of the people, stands with them in fighting against the unfair policies of the Centre. The mask, a tool that has been used to protect the lives of the people through these unprecedented times, has also been used as a weapon to communicate dissent against the centre.

Most recently, the party also held a membership drive 'Ellorum Nammudan', as part of the Mupperum Vizha celebrations (Celebration of three historic events – founding of DMK, Birth Anniversaries of Periyar and Anna). The party, started as a movement for the commoners by the commoners, over the years, has adapted and evolved itself to the changing times, and the online membership drive, Ellorum Nammudan stands a testament to it. Through the initiative, the party has been incredibly successful in reaching out to the citizens even in the smallest of hamlets, and has enrolled more than 13,77,987 members in just 30 days. Of the members, 55 percent registration was completed by people in the age group of 18 to 35.

The party, that has been one of the most consistent custodians of Tamil rights, culture and pride, aims to bring people together in the quest to steer Tamil Nadu to a brighter future. It has been successful in bringing power to the hands of those who wish to become a party member and put the future of Tamil Nadu on the growth trajectory. The DMK is aware of the kind of influence it holds and has been using it as a tool to not just for protests, but to bring about a revolution that results in adherence to rule of law, and ensures to contain the pandemic. Though times have changed, what has remained is the party’s fight against oppression faced by the people. It is therefore clearly evident that, with changing times, the DMK has also been adapting itself to modern ways of reaching out to the people. In the words of Abraham Lincoln “The party is of the people, by the people and for the people.” Today, despite the opposition, our party is the government that rules the minds of the people. In the next 7 months, our party as a responsible government will lead the people on the path of prosperity and growth.

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Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are that of the author