On September 5, when Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin got his counterpart from Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, to launch Pudumai Penn—a financial assistance scheme for poor girl students which is quite close to his heart—political circles were abuzz with rumours about possible changes in the alliance equations in the state. After all, the Delhi CM is a well-known critic of the Congress, the DMK’s most prominent ally. However, after seeing Kejriwal off, Stalin travelled to Kanyakumari to flag offCongress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, putting an end to all speculation. The two leaders hugged each other and walked together to the Gandhi Mandapam in Kanyakumari for a prayer meeting before the yatra commenced.
Rahul and Stalin are known to share a warm bond. At a public rally in Kanyakumari during the 2021 assembly elections, Stalin opened up about his friendship with Rahul. “Sometimes during our telephone conversations I call him ‘sir’ and he would immediately ask me to address him as brother,” said Stalin. The brotherhood was on full display at the launch of the yatra, sending a strong message to friends and foes that the Congress and the DMK would remain staunch allies.
This story is from the September 25, 2022 edition of THE WEEK India.
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This story is from the September 25, 2022 edition of THE WEEK India.
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