Byelection will teach ruling party a lesson: Stalin

SALEM,
"The Dravida Munetra Kazhagam (DMK) is not the main Opposition party in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. But the people still consider it as the main Opposition, as our party has been raising its voice for the people," party treasurer M.K. Stalin said at Yercaud on Monday.

Addressing cadres at a meeting organised to introduce V. Maran, party candidate for the Yercaud byelection, he said "Winning a byelection will not bring us to power, but it will teach the ruling party a lesson", Mr. Stalin said, urging party cadres to work for the party's win.

Deputy general secretary of the party V.P. Duraisamy said that winning the Yercaud byelection was very important for the party because it would take the DMK's number of MLAs to 24. Actually, the principal Opposition, the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, now had only 23 MLAs who supported the party. Six others had extended support to the ruling All India Anna Dravida Kazhagam, he said.

On fielding 36-year-old Maran for the byelection, Mr. Duraisamy said the DMK would field more youngsters for the Parliamentary elections in 2014 and the Assembly elections in the coming years. "It is a bid to have more young and energetic MPs and MLAs to serve the people better" he added.

Deputy general secretary of the party and former Public Works Minister Durai Murugan, many former and present MPs and MLAs participated in the meeting.

Mr. Stalin took part in a meeting in Salem later at which about 1,700 cadres from other parties joined the DMK.