A local functionary of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) broke down in public and staged a hunger protest near Vedaranyam after alleging that senior party leaders deliberately boycotted a welfare assistance programme he had organised at great personal cost.
Jayashankar, a DMK branch secretary, said he had mortgaged his house to organise the party programme but was left humiliated when senior leaders failed to attend despite being formally invited. Visibly distressed, he accused party leaders of sidelining him because of his social background.
“I mortgaged my house thinking I should conduct this programme for the party. Does someone from an oppressed community, living below the poverty line, not have the right to be in politics?” he said, breaking down in tears.
Jayashankar claimed that despite issuing proper invitations, district secretary Gauthaman and union secretary Mahakumar did not attend the event. He alleged that internal factionalism was being encouraged by the union secretary, whom he accused of deliberately creating conflict.
Referring to the party’s ideology, he questioned, “If DMK claims to go beyond language and race, does that mean there is no caste? Why am I being treated this way?”
When asked about the allegations, union secretary Mahakumar told reporters that Jayashankar had organised the programme without informing him in advance. He claimed that proper coordination procedures had not been followed.
Due to the failure of the programme, beneficiaries who had arrived to receive welfare assistance reportedly returned disappointed.
Jayashankar further alleged sustained harassment and humiliation by party functionaries. “They say the district secretary will not come unless the union secretary is present. Have we ever ignored the union secretary or failed to give him importance?” he asked.
He claimed he was subjected to verbal abuse and mental harassment, stating, “They treat me as inferior, abuse me, and humiliate me. I am being mentally tortured. They tell me I should not express my emotions or organise any programme.”
In an emotionally charged statement, he said, “I don’t know if I will be alive tomorrow. I am alive today, but I don’t know about tomorrow. When I try to express my feelings for the party and its leader, I am insulted and disgraced.”
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