PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Monday said the political change seen in Tamil Nadu is largely shaped by social media, calling it “a double-edged sword.” He made the remarks at a post-election consultative meeting of PMK functionaries held in Pallavaram, Chennai.
Referring to the recent election outcome, Anbumani said only two parties could “hold their heads high” — the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the PMK. He argued that TVK’s victory was not the result of any wave, adding that if such a wave existed the party would have secured around 170 MLAs, and pointed out that TVK failed to win even a single seat in eight districts.
Drawing a contrast with earlier elections, he recalled that PMK had benefited from the sympathy wave after the 1991 Rajiv Gandhi assassination and from the anti-Jayalalithaa wave in 1996. While welcoming the current shift among voters, he cautioned that the change driven by social media can cut both ways.
Anbumani also said he had met Chief Minister Vijay and pressed for a caste-based census, the formation of a women’s “Singap Penn” force and an anti-drug force, and the appointment of a DGP. He said he offered suggestions in areas including water bodies, education and health, and added that PMK would welcome anyone who does good for Tamil Nadu.
Calling the increased interest of youth in Assembly proceedings an opportunity, he urged party workers to channel it constructively. He thanked PMK functionaries for their support over the past year and asked the party to begin preparations immediately for the upcoming local body elections.
