MK Stalin: "Online narrative beat us, not ground-level politics" — calls TVK govt "Dravidian too" if it continues welfare

Former chief minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin said the TVK government could also be termed a "Dravidian model government" as long as it continued the welfare schemes introduced by the previous regime. Addressing a gathering in Thanjavur, Stalin noted that people were well aware of the development initiatives and welfare measures implemented by the DMK government.

He said the DMK had worked extensively during the campaign by reaching out to the public and explaining the government's achievements, yet still failed to return to power. "It is time for us to introspect," he said.

Stalin alleged that a party which "did not engage in groundwork, meet people regularly, or even appoint booth and counting agents" managed to secure victory because of its influence on social media and the use of children as grassroots campaigners to influence parents and grandparents. "We failed to recognise and counter it. We need to remain cautious hereafter and are working out ways to curb such activities," he said.