CHENNAI: Reaffirming the DMK government’s commitment to minority communities, party leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sunday said the ruling party would continue to stand as a protective fortress for minorities despite what he described as malicious political campaigns.Speaking at the wedding of DMK Headquarters Secretary ‘Thuraimugam’ Kaja’s granddaughter in Chennai’s Thiruverkadu, Udhayanidhi said no amount of political propaganda could weaken the bond between the DMK and minority communities.Taking an indirect dig at political opportunists, he remarked that “some people left us as soon as a sofa arrived”, while contrasting them with party workers and minority communities who, he said, had remained loyal to the DMK.“No matter who tries to separate us or what slanders are spread, the DMK will always remain a protective fortress for minorities and Islamic people,” he stated.Addressing the current political climate, he said, “In these times of political disaster, DMK chief M K Stalin will stand by you, protect Tamil Nadu, and redeem the nation.”Udhayanidhi said he was attending the wedding on behalf of Chief Minister M K Stalin, who was originally scheduled to preside over the function.Recalling Kaja’s long association with the party, he recounted an incident from the 1989 Assembly elections when Kaja, then an AIADMK candidate contesting against late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi from the Harbour constituency, congratulated Karunanidhi even before the counting had concluded.“Even before the vote counting concluded, Kaja, as an opposition candidate, went and garlanded Kalaignar to congratulate him,” Udhayanidhi recalled.He said Kaja later joined the DMK and went on to become a dedicated party worker, adding that Chief Minister Stalin often refers to Kaja and senior functionary Poochi S Murugan as the “two pillars of Anna Arivalayam”, the party headquarters.The event witnessed the participation of members of the Islamic community, providing a platform for Udhayanidhi to reiterate the DMK’s commitment to minority welfare.Despite his political remarks, the event also saw a rare display of cordiality as Udhayanidhi personally escorted Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief coordinator Seeman, who was also present at the wedding.(With PTI inputs)
