2024 polls to decide if country will remain a democracy: Stalin

Chennai: The 2024 general elections will decide if the country will continue to be a democracy, which is why the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) has started to raise its voice, said chief minister M K Stalin, after a peace march in held Chennai on Monday, the fifth death anniversary of his father and five-time chief minister M Karunanidhi.

“This is not an election that comes once in five years,” Stalin said in a four-minute video. “It is not an answer to the question on this party or that party. This election is to decide whether India will be a democracy or not? You (Karunanidhi) always said we should give voice for India from Tamil Nadu, and we are just following your words now.”

This comes days after Stalin told DMK party cadre to stay united to resist an aggressive BJP in Tamil Nadu. The DMK president has been alleging that the BJP was targeting the DMK because of its prime role in bringing the opposition parties together.

Stalin and his senior-most colleagues including party general secretary Durai Murugan, MPs T R Baalu and Kanimozhi Karunandihi led a silent march for two km to pay respects at Karunanidhi’s mausoleum on the Marina Beach. The party recently got the Supreme Court’s nod to erect a fountain pen in the ocean off the beach in memory of Karunanidhi.

“DMK is a regional party. And it is time to realise your (Karunanidhi) dream that the DMK should always function as a party that ensures that states get their due rights,” Stalin said. “Your centenary year is the time to fulfil your dreams.”

Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai pulled out an old video of public works minister E V Velu saying that the name India is in some place north doesn’t have any impact on the DMK and posted it to Twitter. “This is the true face of parties in the I.N.D.I.A alliance,” said Annamalai. “Once a separatist, always a separatist.”