In a brilliant political counterattack, AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) flipped the script on the ruling DMK by making journalists to confront the harsh reality of the ruling party’s unfulfilled promises.
At a press event in Pudukkottai, EPS’s team distributed “scratch cards” containing DMK’s 2021 election promises and asked reporters to reveal whether the Stalin-led government had delivered on them. The result? A stunning exposé of the DMK’s empty guarantees.
The “Scratch Card” Stunt That Has Left DMK Red-Faced
Using scratch cards and a “wheel of betrayal,” EPS invited reporters to randomly select promises from the DMK manifesto and publicly assess whether those promises had materialized over the past four years.
Whether it was jobs for 5 lakh youth, cancellation of the NEET exam, free tablets for students, or reduced fuel prices, the recurring response from the audience, including local journalists was unanimous: “Varala, sir… nothing has come.” The promises, EPS pointed out, remained ink on paper.
One journalist scratched a card that read “Three LED bulbs at concessional rate for all ration card holders.” Another pulled up “Unmarried women above 35 to get government jobs.” The room erupted in nervous laughter and awkward silence – not one person had seen these promises fulfilled. Even a card that read “Diesel prices will be reduced” was met with scoffs from reporters themselves.
The most damning moment arrived when EPS referenced the DMK’s foundational 2021 pledge: the abolition of the NEET exam. “Has it been cancelled?” he asked, turning to the crowd. The answer was a resounding no.
Key Unkept Promises
“5 Lakh Government Jobs for Youth” – Scratched. Reality: Zero delivered.
“4G Connection + 10GB Data + Free Tablets for Students” – Scratched. Reality: Not implemented.
“Old Age Pension of ₹1,500” – Scratched. Reality: Still pending.
“Gradual Reduction of Alcohol Tax” – Scratched. Reality: Instead, liquor prices increased.
“Diesel Price Cut” – Scratched. Reality: Prices skyrocketed under DMK.
“NEET Exam Abolition” – Scratched. Reality: NEET still enforced.
DMK’s Wheel of Betrayal: Spin & Lose
EPS and team didn’t stop there. He unveiled a rotating wheel with sectors labeled for farmers, women, youth, students, traders, and other social groups. As the wheel spun and promises were randomly selected, each item served as a quiet indictment of the DMK’s governance.
Farmers: “Loan waivers promised, but suicides continue.”
Women: “Government jobs for unmarried women above 35? Still waiting.”
Traders: “Corporation rent revision? Only on paper.”
Theatrics aside, the message was clear: four years in, many of the promises that secured Stalin’s 2021 victory remain unfulfilled.
Many reporters, who have largely been sympathetic to the DMK, were put on the spot. When asked “Did the DMK fulfill this promise?”, their reluctant answers were unanimous: “No.”
EPS’s Brilliant Strategy: Using DMK’s Own Weapon Against Them
The brilliance of the move lay in its simplicity. Instead of reading out a list of failures, EPS got the media who has largely been pro-DMK over the years, to read the promises aloud and confront their non-delivery themselves. It was political theatre at its sharpest.
This approach also served a second purpose: it exposed the media’s complicity in shielding the government from criticism. Since 2021, much of the Tamil media has projected an overwhelmingly positive image of the DMK regime, often turning a blind eye to broken promises and administrative lapses. EPS’ gambit forced journalists to reckon with that silence.
By using Stalin’s own words against him, EPS transformed a standard public meeting into a masterclass in political messaging. The opposition leader didn’t just speak about broken promises; he made the public and media witness them.
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