UNCERTAIN ARITHMETIC
THE WEEK India|April 21, 2024
An intense, four-cornered fight on the ground could decide the outcome of the main battle between the two major dravida parties
LAKSHMI SUBRAMANIAN
UNCERTAIN ARITHMETIC

It is 7am on March 30. The morning is pleasant, and the vegetable market at First Agraharam in Salem, Tamil Nadu, is busy. A convoy of vehicles stops near the roadside shops. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, clad in black track pants and a pink T-shirt, steps out of his car. Cellphones go up and slogans pierce the air. Stalin indulges the clamour for selfies, interacts with women, and introduces the man by his side— T.M. Selvaganapathy, the DMK’s candidate in Salem Lok Sabha constituency. “Vote for him in the Rising Sun symbol,” he says.

The DMK hopes to sweep all 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and the lone seat in Puducherry. Stalin is, technically, in a four-cornered fight on the ground with Edappadi K. Palaniswami of the AIADMK, K. Annamalai of the BJP and Senthamizhan Seeman of the Naam Tamilar Katchi. But, in pulling crowds and delivering fiery speeches, he is far ahead of rivals.

The DMK’s entire campaign revolves around Stalin and his vigorous campaign against the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The DMK’s slogan—‘Bring down fascism; save India’—taps into the deeply entrenched anti-BJP sentiment in the state. “Modi is a myth, and that myth is breaking down,” he told THE WEEK. “Modi did not win the past two parliamentary elections in Tamil Nadu. The people are confident that the BJP, which has betrayed Tamils, the Tamil language and Tamil Nadu, will be brought down.”

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 21, 2024 من THE WEEK India.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 21, 2024 من THE WEEK India.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE WEEK INDIA مشاهدة الكل
Doctor's doctors
THE WEEK India

Doctor's doctors

Internists deal with prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all kinds of diseases, while also coordinating with doctors across specialties

time-read
4 mins  |
February 02, 2025
WORK THIS OUT!
THE WEEK India

WORK THIS OUT!

What is the true cost of a 90-hour workweek? Reduced productivity, mental health issues and severe health risks, say doctors

time-read
4 mins  |
February 02, 2025
The experience of oppression
THE WEEK India

The experience of oppression

The British enacted several laws that might appear liberal, only to then veto the invocation of progressive measures. Nevertheless, these milestones guided the founding fathers in conceiving and creating the Constitution of India

time-read
7 mins  |
February 02, 2025
One, two, buckle my shoe!
THE WEEK India

One, two, buckle my shoe!

“Darling,” I said to my life companion of more years than I care to remember, “Do you think there is any correlation between pain in the feet and attending prayer meetings?”“You really are a stupid old man!” said the light of my life. “Can’t you think of anything more bizarre so late at night?”

time-read
3 mins  |
February 02, 2025
A helping hand
THE WEEK India

A helping hand

Over the past year, Imaginarium has placed 3D-printed parts in space, in human bodies, in oil fields in the Middle East, and as drones on the Indian border

time-read
3 mins  |
February 02, 2025
Fading federalism
THE WEEK India

Fading federalism

One of the most visible indicators of the erosion of state autonomy is the diminishing financial independence of states

time-read
3 mins  |
February 02, 2025
FOUNDING MOTHERS OF THE CONSTITUTION
THE WEEK India

FOUNDING MOTHERS OF THE CONSTITUTION

THEIR CONTRIBUTION IN THE MAKING OF THE REPUBLIC REMAINS EXEMPLARY AND INSPIRING

time-read
5 mins  |
February 02, 2025
Value every breath
THE WEEK India

Value every breath

VO2 max is the best way to measure fitness and predict life expectancy

time-read
6 mins  |
February 02, 2025
Statutes of unity
THE WEEK India

Statutes of unity

The Constitution reminds us that national oneness comes through addressing inequalities, not enforcing uniformity

time-read
4 mins  |
February 02, 2025
Incomplete equality
THE WEEK India

Incomplete equality

Equal marriage rights is one of the last bastions of patriarchy and to dismantle it, the recognition of marital rape as an offence is non-negotiable

time-read
4 mins  |
February 02, 2025