DMK president M.K. Stalin on Monday took an apparent swipe at the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), saying the "change" brought about in Tamil Nadu had turned into "bitter disappointment".
Stalin appeared to be referring to the outcome of the April 2026 Assembly elections, in which the TVK won power and formed its first government.
"A change occurred in Tamil Nadu, but as party Deputy General Secretary A Raja pointed out earlier, that change has turned into disappointment. A mistake committed by lakhs of people is today troubling crores of people. This situation must change," Stalin said.
He urged people, particularly the younger generation, to understand the forces that had shaped the state's social and political landscape and to "think deeply and act wisely" in the coming days to bring about change.
Stalin was speaking at a wedding ceremony in Chennai, where he presided over the marriage of Dr Ilakkiya, granddaughter of veteran film producer and his relative Amirtham, and Dr Giridhara.
Although he said he did not want to turn a family function into a political platform, Stalin used the occasion to speak about the role of welfare measures and social justice movements in shaping Tamil Nadu's progress.
Pointing to the presence of several generations of doctors in the family, he said their educational and professional achievements were made possible by the welfare policies and social justice initiatives of previous governments.
Stalin said today's youth needed to recognise and understand the historical forces that had enabled such social progress.
He also recalled his childhood and spoke about Amirtham, son of the late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi's sister, and his relationship with Murasoli Maran and Murasoli Selvam.
Stalin said the three played an important role in shaping the education and careers of Karunanidhi's children.
"While Murasoli Maran was composed and Murasoli Selvam was gentle, Amirtham was very strict. He even slapped me on the cheek to discipline me while raising us," Stalin recalled.
Former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, DMK Treasurer T.R. Baalu, Deputy General Secretary A Raja, Organising Secretary R.S. Bharathi, poet Vairamuthu and DMK Youth Wing leader Udhayanidhi Stalin were among those present at the event.
(With inputs from PTI)