Stalin must prove himself as a worthy successor

This refers to the editorial, “Stalin in charge” (August 30). The elevation of MK Stalin as Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president marked a new era in Tamil Nadu politics. It also marked the successful culmination of a tireless political work that the second-in-command has done over 50 years. Certainly, the change of guard in the DMK, as wished by Kalaignar, was a cause for the party cadres to celebrate.

Stalin is aware that heading the principal party in the State is not an easy task. On officially taking over the reins of the party, he gave a categorical assurance that the DMK will represent and uphold the ideals propounded by the Periyar. He has stood as a bulwark against cultural invasion attempted by the Sangh Parivar and the Modi Government in the name of religious nationalism.

In his maiden speech as the DMK chief at the party headquarters in Chennai, he lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Modi Government for trying “to paint the whole country saffron”. Let’s hope he takes decisions out of principle, not expedience or opportunism.

By forging an electoral alliance with secular and progressive parties in the State and aligning with the secular and social justice forces in the post-poll scenario at the Centre, he should prove that he is indeed a worthy successor.