Chennai: The DMK is considering placing deputy general secretary Kanimozhi at the forefront of its political counter to Chief Minister Vijay, according to party sources. The move is said to be part of a broader effort to sharpen the party’s messaging after its Assembly election defeat.
The loss has reportedly left the DMK shaken, with the party also losing its much-touted alliance framework to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). In this backdrop, Vijay’s recent public attacks on the DMK have intensified the political contest.
At a meeting in Tiruchirappalli on June 1, Vijay strongly criticised the DMK, calling it a harmful and outdated force. While DMK leaders A. Raja and R.S. Bharathi responded, party insiders say the rebuttals did not resonate, as TVK supporters pushed counter-narratives on social media.
The DMK’s recent “Gen Z DMK” event at Anna Arivalayam on May 30 also drew ridicule online, adding to the party’s communication challenges. Sources now say Stalin believes Kanimozhi can deliver a more effective critique of the TVK government and respond quickly to allegations against the DMK and its previous administration.
Party members attribute this choice to the positive reception Kanimozhi received among women for her remarks condemning sexual violence. A DMK functionary also said opposition leader Udhayanidhi recently urged Kanimozhi to immediately highlight the government’s mistakes and issue prompt replies to accusations targeting the party.
