'We must teach Modi govt a lesson': Stalin targets BJP in first speech as DMK president

MK Stalin, in his maiden address to the General Council, asked the party cadre to teach a lesson to the BJP-led NDA government, accusing it of trying to polarise the country.

DMK President M K Stalin addresses during the partys General Council Meeting at Anna Arivalayam in Chennai. Photo: PTI

CHENNAI: MK Stalin was on Tuesday elected as the new president of the DMK, about three weeks after the death of his father and party patriarch M Karunanidhi on August 7. Hours after his elevation to the top post, Stalin, in his maiden address to the General Council, asked the party cadre to teach a lesson to the BJP-led NDA government, accusing it of trying to polarise the country. "The Narendra Modi government is trying to paint the nation in the colour saffron (a symbol of Hindutva). Let's teach it a lesson," PTI quoted Stalin as saying. In a hard-hitting speech to delegates, he also charged the BJP-led government with trying to destroy the basics of education, art, culture and religion through religious hatred. "The social and political environment that is prevailing now is a big challenge to the self-respect policies. The basics of education, art, literature and religion are being sought to be destroyed by the central government through religious hatred and on the basis of official power. "The selection process in judiciary, education and state governors and the Centre's actions are aimed at sabotaging the secular principles," Stalin was quoted by IANS as saying. Stalin said he never dreamed of becoming the president of the DMK, which treated all as equal, irrespective of their position in the party. "I feel honoured and grateful to have been elected as the President of the DMK party. I pledge to protect, cherish and advance the four founding principles of our party: Self Respect, Social Justice, Rationalism and Secularism," he tweeted.

I feel honoured and grateful to have been elected as the President of the DMK party. I pledge to protect, cherish and advance the four founding principles of our party: Self Respect, Social Justice, Rationalism and Secularism.

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) August 28, 2018

Congress president Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee congratulated Stalin on his elevation. "Congratulations to Shri M K Stalin on being elected President of the DMK. I wish him happiness & success as he begins a new chapter in his political journey. @mkstalin #DMKThalaivarStalin," Gandhi said on Twitter.

Congratulations to Shri M K Stalin on being elected President of the DMK. I wish him happiness & success as he begins a new chapter in his political journey. @mkstalin #DMKThalaivarStalin

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 28, 2018

Mamata Banerjee also took to Twitter to greet Stalin. "Congratulations and best wishes to @mkstalin for being elected President of the DMK @arivalayam," the TMC chief wrote on the micro-blogging site.

Congratulations and best wishes to @mkstalin for being elected President of the DMK @arivalayam

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 28, 2018