Chennai: Today is the death anniversary of DMK founder C N Annadurai, who fought north’s ‘hegemony’ over the south. Exactly a day before it, his party, now headed by M K Stalin, made a crucial announcement- that it has roped in the services of election strategist Prashant Kishor’s Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) to help shape its campaign for the Tamilnadu Assembly polls next year.
The announcement was made by Stalin himself, who posted on Twitter: ”Happy to share that many bright & like-minded young professionals of Tamil Nadu are joining us under the banner of @IndianPAC to work with us on our 2021 election and help shape our plans to restore TN to
its former glory!”
In response, the I-PAC tweeted: ”Thanks Thiru @mkstalin for the opportunity. The @IndianPAC Tamil Nadu team is excited to work with DMK to help secure an emphatic victory in 2021 elections and contribute in putting the state back on the path of progress and prosperity under
your able leadership.”
Highly placed sources in the DMK say an agreement has been signed between the party and I-PAC and the latter has been hired for a whopping amount.
”From now on, I-PAC would play a key role in deciding DMK’s actions till the elections are over next year. It will have a say in everything- from designing campaign strategies to deciding candidates,” the sources say, adding that these things are being done with the sole aim of bringing back the party to power.
At the same time, the DMK also understands that Tamilnadu politics is a different ball-game and Prashant’s style might not work here. ”Hence, he has been asked to come up with a tailor-made strategy for Tamilnadu, by fully understanding its history and geography,” the sources say.
In opposition for nearly a decade, the DMK is making an all-out attempt to wrest power from the ruling AIADMK. Also, it has to face top stars Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.
For quite some time, there was speculation that Kamal Haasan-led Makkal Needhi Maiam would sign up with the strategist for the 2021 Assembly polls. Now, by roping in I-PAC, the DMK feels it has made its first successful move for next year’s elections.