Chennai: “On your 70th birthday, which of the gifts you received from your co-workers is closest to your heart?” an unseen male voice asks MK Stalin in Tamil.
When the camera pans on him, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader pretends to straighten a wad of papers. Then, he looks at the camera, smiles and says: “ungalil oruvan enne yen tailavar aga ternetu azhaga parthadai vida periya parisu iruka maduyuma (Can there be a greater reward than that you chose me, one of you, to be your leader)?
The exchange was part of Stalin’s latest episode Ungalil oruvan-bathilgal (one of you answer), Regular question-answer show on DMK and Stalin’s YouTube channels. Forum is a way to address CM According to party sources, “topics related to current affairs and social justice”.
Ungalil Oruvan (Ek Aap Se) is also the name of Stalin’s autobiography, to be released in March 2022 by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
According to party sources, the program launched in 2013 has been signed by Stalin. vesti and white shirts, answering a set of questions compiled by the DMK and the Chief Minister’s Office.
While the DMK was unwilling to divulge details about the origin of the questions or the people involved in the event citing confidentiality, party spokesperson A. Saravanan told ThePrint that Ungalil Oruvan-Bathilgal Helps unite party workers.
He said, “These talks assure that the leadership never deviates from our ideological fight.” “It’s a way of keeping in touch and constantly reassuring the cadres that the leadership is with them.”
Meanwhile, the opposition has alleged that Stalin is trying to emulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi mind matter – A monthly radio broadcast Which addresses the PM on many issues ranging from farmer’s problems to government’s schemes.
“a program of travel by train, surprise inspections, and the like mind matter All have clear symptoms of PM Modi’s style of governance,” said Kovai Sathyan, spokesperson of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). he was talking about stalin 143 km train ride to vellore in February and his surprise visit to a school to monitor the food served there.
Although political analysts say that Stalin’s show is a means of connecting him with the public.
Chennai-based senior political analyst A. “The main objective of this interaction is to keep the chief minister closer to the people,” Ayyanathan said. This, he said, was a departure from the normal practice of party leaders restricting their interaction with the public to election campaigning.
Ayyanathan said, “Imagine the impact on the person whose question gets answered (in the programme).”
Read also: Unite to defeat BJP, ‘talk of third front’ is redundant, Stalin tells opposition parties
‘Bridging the Gap’ with the odd potshot
Analysts claim that ever since Stalin took over as CM in 2021, he has been trying to bridge the gap between the masses.
Aji Senthilnathan, another political analyst from Chennai, said that Stalin’s outreach efforts established him as a “People’s Chief Minister”, unlike his predecessors J.Jayalalithaa and even his father M.Karunanidhi.
According to Senthilnathan, a recent example is that of Stalin. “field visit”in four districts earlier this year. The show, he added, also represents an effort to connect with the masses. Last month, for example, Stalin addressed Rumor Attack on migrant workers in the state and said the community was safe in Tamil Nadu.
However, Stalin has also used the show to target opponents. In February, for example, he took a shot Targeting Narendra Modi, he said that he has learned the ‘art’ of speaking for hours without answering the PM. In March, he taunted Governor RN Ravi, with whom he is at loggerheads “Blockage” of various bills, During the show, Stalin said “Governors have only mouths and no ears”.
Format of the show, Echo of Karunanidhi
in general Ungalil Oruvan-BathilgalAn unseen male or female voice reads a question, which Stalin eventually answers.
Topics featured in the ‘Q&A’ are published on social media as #UngalilOruvanAnswers.
Despite allegations from the opposition AIADMK that ungalil oruvan was modeled after Modi mind matter, DMK sources claim that the program actually started in 2013.
Significantly, Stalin’s father, who was chief minister five times, also tried to establish contact with party workers and the public. From 1968 till his death in 2018,’Kalaignar Karunanidhi regularly wrote letters to party workers. called Udanpirapu Kaditham (Letter to brothers) Karunanidhi wrote his views on various issues in the mouthpiece of DMK murosoli And Kalaignar TV,
A collection of 4,041 letters in 54 parts was published in September 2022.
Speaking to ThePrint on condition of anonymity, a DMK functionary said Ungalil Oruvan Bathilgal Karunanidhi is an extension Udanpirapu Kaditham,
Senthilnathan pointed out that even though the show is run by the DMK, Stalin’s voice emerges clearly.
“These question-and-answer sessions are mostly addressed in the capacity of Tamil Nadu CM and not as DMK party chief and it is evident from his answers,” he added.
DMK ‘understands the power of media’
Amidst advanced technology and increasing connectivity, shows such as Ungalil Oruvan Bathilgal Analysts say it can be an effective way to sway voters’ views on issues relevant to a party.
According to Senthilnathan, DMK has always been a party that understood the power of the media.
He said, “DMK as a party has been a media-centric party.” “Any new media and they knew how to use it, be it cinema, newspapers or regional TV channels. They are always investing in the media.
According to Ayyanathan, Ungalil Oruvan Bathilgal Stands apart in the state because of Stalin’s distinctive message.
“His message is clear, I will act like Angalil Oruvan (one of you). He has been doing this and has not forgotten the commitment (to the people), which no other leader is doing today.
(Edited by Uttara Ramaswamy)
Read also: Read between the lines to know why MK Stalin inducted son Udhayanidhi in Tamil Nadu cabinet