Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin says Periyar’s name and speech are still determining Tamil Nadu politics

Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sunday released a book at a convention organized by the Dravida Viduthalai Kazhagam in Salem. , Photo Credit: Lakshmi Narayanan E

Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sunday said that even 50 years after the death of ‘Periyar’ EV Ramasamy, his name and speech determined the politics of Tamil Nadu.

The minister attended a conference called ‘Ithu Tamil Nadu’ (This is Tamil Nadu) organized by the Dravida Viduthalai Kazhagam (DVK) in Salem and spoke about the achievements of Periyar, former chief ministers CN Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi.

Tamil Nadu is different from other states. However, apart from Tamil Nadu, there are states which are political enemies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But Tamil Nadu is the ideological enemy of the BJP, Mr. Udhayanidhi said.

“In my first speech in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, I mentioned ‘Periyar’ as our head coach. When Periyar founded the Dravida Kazhagam, everyone was associating his caste with his name. But, when in 1973 “When he died, people in Tamil Nadu stopped using the caste name. The change happened here and it was because of Periyar.”

Governor RN Ravi avoided mentioning the names of Periyar, Anna, Ambedkar and Kamaraj in his assembly speech. But, Chief Minister MK Stalin expunged the Governor’s address from the records of the Assembly. He said, this is self-respect.

Even 50 years after his death, Periyar and his speech still determine the politics of Tamil Nadu. Those who attacked Periyar for his speech later thanked him for his service to the people, Mr Udhayanidhi said.

Following the path of Periyar, Mr. Stalin implemented the Pudhumai Pen scheme and free bus travel for women. He said that the upcoming 2024 parliamentary elections are very important and fascists should be sent home.