The DMK’s propaganda initiative Ondrinaivom Vaa, championed by the party leader M.K. Stalin, has become a cause of worry for its own party men as the party is alleged to be not providing funds to its functionaries to carry out the relief measures.
A report carried by The New Indian Express quoted a union secretary from the central zone saying “We have lost our businesses. We are not billionaires to spend thousands of rupees daily without any income for more than 40 days. I am horrified whenever the phone rings”.
The website which was launched in the month of April claims that it has received more than 12 lakh calls. These calls are redirected to the union secretaries of the party who are made to shell out money from their own pockets.
“Corona is indirectly killing me”, the union secretary is quoted saying in The New Indian Express report.
A union in-charge of a southern district is quoted to be saying that the functionaries are not listening to him and that he is being forced to spend money from his own pocket. He says, “I belong to MBC community and my assembly constituency is a reserved one.” He goes on to say “During the last election, the party offered ticket to a new face and lost. Hence most of the affluent Dalit members of the party are reluctant to spend money.” He added that he would resign if such a situation continues.
Another union secretary from the northern district is reported to have said that he had spent ₹10 lakhs on providing rations and other essentials to people of his constituency. He laments that he has been receiving 30-40 calls from Ondrinaivom Vaa team who order him to offer relief without considering his financial position.