Alleging that for over half a century, the DMK has been under the grip of family rule, Vanathi Srinivasan, Coimbatore South Legislator, said while Karunanidhi reigned for long, his son M.K.Stalin became the Chief minsiter after his demise. Now, Udayanidhi Stalin has been inducted into the cabinet.
Coimbatore: Alleging that for over half a century, the DMK has been under the grip of family rule, Vanathi Srinivasan, Coimbatore South Legislator said while Karunanidhi reigned for long, his son M.K.Stalin became the Chief minsiter after his demise. Now, Udayanidhi Stalin has been inducted into the cabinet.
"This is unprecedented as it is not only seen in the history of India, but also in the history of the world" Vanathi Srinivasan alleged..
Vanathi Srinivasan said adding that "none can deny the fact thatUdhayanidhi Stalin has been able to reach such heights in his political career in such a short span of time only because he happens to be the son of Chief Minister M K Stalin. But if you point out this to DMK, leaders , they may argue that dynastic politics not the only thepreserve of DMK, it is also practiced in BJP. They may ask "Aren't the leader's sons MPs and MLAs in BJP?
"Even though on the surface level, the question looks justified, it is not the case. The sons and daughers of leaders could enter politics in a democratic country like ours" she said and added.
"Anyone who has completed 18 years of age is eligible to vote and can enter politics and contest elections. He can become a member of parliament, legislative assembly, minister, chief minister and prime minister. There's nothing wrong with that. Even the BJP did not say that it was wrong' she said.
"But dynastic politics means that the leadership of a party belongs to only one family. Dynastic politics is about one family benefiting and assumng leadership role of the party on the basis of birth. In the Congress, Pandit Nehru, his daughter Indira Gandhi, his son Rajiv Gandhi, his wife Sonia, his son Rahul, and now Rahul's sister Priyanka belong to family which controls the party".she added.
"Though someone else is the Party president, the Congress is led by members of the Nehru family. No matter how much others have worked for the party and how talented they are, they cannot aspire for leadership. A similar situation exists in the DMK." Vanathi Srinivasan alleged.
"The DMK has been in power for 49 years. When Karunanidhi passed away and there were many senior leaders who worked for the party, but it was Stalin who became the leader. The reason for this he is Karunanidhi's son. This is what dynastic politics is".she said.
"If the leadership responsibility of taking decisions and leading the party continues to remain confined to one family, others will not get the opportunities that they deserve. Is this social justice?" Vanathi Srinivasan quipped.
While taking a dig at the other ministers accompanying Udhayanidhi Stalin , Vanthi demanded to know, when Udayanidhi had interacted with the sportspersons at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai after assuming charge as minister, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister Sekar Babu was with him.
"When the previous Sports Minister came to such events, did other ministers accompany him like this?" Vanathi Srinivasan quipped..
"When Stalin had anointed his son as a minister and gave him 10th position in the 35-member cabinet, could he not make person from the Scheduled Caste as his Deputy Chief Minister? Vanathi demanded to know.
"Important porforlios have not been allocated to any miniser hailing from scheduled castes, if it has bee done, one coud laud the government practicing social justice" Vanthi said and added that the Stalin should a leastt make a minister belonging to the scheduled caste as Deputy Chief Minister".
"Important departments should be allocated to the oppressed communities. "Chief Minister Stalin should take steps to show social justice and equality not only in speech but also in action," Vanathi Srinivasan said.