MK Stalin, the leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), launched a sharp critique against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, accusing him of treating the Legislative Assembly like a "cinema set" and prioritizing "punch dialogues" over substantive governance. Speaking at a DMK executive meeting, Stalin alleged that Vijay had renamed all the schemes initiated during the DMK's previous rule, suggesting a lack of continuity and respect for past policies. The remarks came amid ongoing tensions between the ruling Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) and the opposition DMK, which suffered a significant electoral defeat in April. Stalin’s criticism followed a notable incident in June when the DMK staged a walkout in the Assembly. Despite the disruption, Vijay did not relent and instead sought permission from Speaker JCD Pabhakar to conclude his speech with a dramatic gesture, reminiscent of former Chief Minister MK Stalin. A segment of his address went viral online, though a final moment drew particular attention. Vijay, while permitted to make the gesture, appeared uncertain about its relevance, noting that the audience he intended to impress had already left. He concluded with a symbolic "it’s over" motion, drawing mixed reactions from observers. In addition to criticizing Vijay’s approach, Stalin framed the recent electoral loss as an opportunity for the DMK to undergo a comprehensive transformation. He emphasized that the defeat should be viewed as a chance to reassess and revamp the party’s strategy. During the executive meeting, Stalin announced that the party would implement major organizational changes, including introducing age limits and a two-term cap for various positions. These measures, he argued, were necessary to modernize the party and ensure effective governance. The proposed reforms include expanding the number of organizational districts from 78 to 110, ensuring greater local representation. Each district will cover approximately two assembly constituencies, allowing for more localized management. Urban areas such as Coimbatore and Tambaram will see the abolition of the "city secretary" role, with administrative boundaries instead determined by voter density. In Chennai, corporation area committees will average around 40,000 voters, while others will manage approximately 30,000. These adjustments aim to streamline operations and promote generational renewal within the party. Stalin acknowledged that these changes might be perceived as stringent or challenging for some members. However, he stressed that the reforms were essential for regaining political momentum. The party’s leadership, including his son Udhayanidhi Stalin, who now serves as the leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, will oversee the implementation of these structural shifts. The process will begin once the revised district maps are officially released, requiring district executive committees to convene within 15 days under the supervision of the party headquarters. Meanwhile, the DMK has also rejected a controversial proposal by the TMC to provide free cars to legislators. All 59 DMK MLAs have opted not to take advantage of the offer, citing concerns over the misuse of public funds. Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin called for a verification process before approving such benefits, emphasizing that the government should assess whether MLAs already own vehicles and evaluate their financial status. Spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai further criticized the initiative, arguing that allocating resources to personal luxuries was inappropriate given the state’s fiscal constraints.
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