In a stunning revelation, a leaked audio clip alleged to be of N Karthik, former MLA and Coimbatore Urban district secretary of DMK, has sent shockwaves through the political landscape. In the audio, Karthik is heard discussing sensitive issues related to cash distributions, internal power struggles, and the selection of mayors, casting a shadow over the party’s credibility.
The audio, which was released by Tamil Nadu BJP leader Annamalai, has sparked heated debates and accusations of corruption within the DMK.
முதலமைச்சராக இருப்பவரிடம் அதிகாரம் கிடையாது.
மகன், மகள், மாப்பிள்ளை, மாப்பிள்ளையின் நண்பர்கள், மகனின் பினாமிகள், மாவட்டச் செயலாளர்கள், கவுன்சிலர்களின் கணவர்கள் ஆகியோரின் ஆட்சியே, தமிழகத்தில் தற்போது நடைபெற்றுவரும் ஊழல் திமுக ஆட்சி! #DMKFiles2 pic.twitter.com/Wx3Cf34yDQ
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) July 27, 2023
According to the purported audio of Karthik, women in the region are expressing dissatisfaction with the items provided for Pongal and are demanding cash instead. The party’s decision to offer 21 types of goods had become a subject of ridicule last yer, potentially impacting the DMK’s standing with the public.
“Already for two years, they (referring to AIADMK government) gave ₹500 and ₹2500 to people. Now women folks are saying you could’ve given money for Pongal. They’re asking ‘who asked for the 21 items?’. That too Vikatan has made fun of. For everything, there has been plus and minus.”, the man can be heard saying.
Furthermore, Karthik’s alleged audio expose deep divisions within the party, as the suggests that a single individual should make crucial decisions, akin to the late Jayalalitha’s leadership style. He cites examples where announcements and actions were exclusively attributed to her, reinforcing the notion that a clear and authoritative leadership approach is vital for the party’s success.
“In politics, there should be a single leader who takes the decisions. When Jayalalithaa was there, only Jayalalithaa and Sasikla took decisions and there is no power for any third person. Even if there was, the announcement would all come in Jayalalithaa’s name. If she can sack 100 people at once, the instructions would come from Jayalalithaa. Not every tom, dick and harry can enter that house. If they (DMK) doesn’t rein in, it is very difficult.”, he says.
Candid comments on internal DMK figures like ‘Anna Nagar’ Karthi and Anbil Mahesh Poiyyamozhi allegedly made by Karthik have also drawn attention. The audio calls them to be power centres an highlights instances of alleged inaccessibility and lack of proper political engagement, which could potentially undermine the DMK’s popularity in the region.
“Around 200-300 people stand outside ‘Anna Nagar’ Karthi’s house. They say that he is in meeting but he would be doing exercises above. He wakes up at 8:30 AM, and does exercises till 10:30 AM. Only those people who are in business go up and talk to him about his business as he keeps doing his exercise. They talk about tenders, etc. He will come down only at 11:30 AM. He is one power centre.”, Karthik’s alleged audio says.
“Nobody knows where Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi stays even in Trichy. People there say that one can even manage to meet KN Nehru but not Mahesh. People are watching whatever is happening very closely.”, he says.
Delimitation of district secretaries is also a contentious issue raised allegedly by the DMK leader in the audio clip.
“If this had been an intelligent government, delimitation would’ve been done in Coimbatore once they came to power and made a ‘gents’ as mayor. Then only the party will stay strong. You can develop the party only like that. You can’t grow the party with 100 councillors who are the lower level.”, says the man in the audio.
He also said that KN Nehru does only “grazes grasses on the surface”. He calls for greater involvement of KN Nehru in this matter, implying that proper delimitation could have been completed months ago, strengthening the party’s prospects.
He further questions the idea of having a woman mayor for Coimbatore saying “People from my family can become a mayor. Anybody can become a mayor. In an area like Coimbatore, what good can the women achieve in the party by becoming a mayor? Can 1 woman mayor answer to 10 men MLAs? Can she face them?”
He suggests that Coimbatore requires a male mayor to tackle the challenges posed by ten MLAs effectively and stated that women as Mayor are ineffective and won’t contribute for party’s strength.
It is notable that this audio comes in the wake of BJP Tamil Nadu releasing the second part of the DMK Files.
Following the release of the audio, DMK’s Coimbatore Urban district secretary N Karthik has lodged a police complaint claiming that the audio was fabricated in order to tarnish his image in the party.
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