News Tamil Nadu

“When Arvind Kejriwal Can Do It, Why Not Me?”: ‘Savukku’ Shankar Moots Political Plunge, Says He’ll Contest Against DMK Scion Udhayanidhi Stalin

April 24, 2024
The Commune

YouTuber and political commentator Savukku Shankar, who claims to be an “impartial” journalist, stirred controversy announcing he is going to commence his political journey soon. He announced his decision on 22 April 2024 via his official social media X handle that Savukku Media would establish an organization complete with a name, flag, and policy by September this year, sparking speculation across social media platforms.

The contemplation arises, why would a YouTuber, poised to launch a political party/Pressure group, opt to incite controversy? This train of thought gains traction, particularly on social media, where the unveiling post featuring Shankar adorned in a maroon-red T-shirt emblazoned with the ‘rising sun’ symbol of DMK. Shankar, originally a journalist claimed to profess impartiality, gained notoriety through his arrest and persistent critique of DMK. Notably, he threw his support behind AIADMK during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, the sudden shift to announcing intentions to establish an organization, accompanied by a photo suggestive of the DMK symbol, and subsequent posts mocking actor Vijay, actor turned politician as a contender for the 2026 assembly elections, only adds to the prevailing confusion.

In a recent interview on the Red Pix YouTube channel with host Felix Gerald, Shankar revealed his plans of launching a new political outfit. He discussed his recent endeavors revolving around Tamil Nadu in preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, noting a shift in mindset. Shankar emphasized the persisting issues faced by the people, such as the lack of street lights, despite the presence of numerous political parties. He highlighted the negligence of problems like those in Parandur, which remain unaddressed by all political factions.

Shankar declared, “It is in conception stage, details will be revealed later.” He further said, “I said when I came back from Cuddalore prison that I was going to contest against Udhayanidhi, and I see that this demand has risen with that in mind. Not only that, well wishers like you say, do something and there are so many people who say that they want to be the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu just with onscreen celebrities. When Arvind Kejriwal can do it, why not me?”

Later, Shankar advanced the notion that no party should be rigidly bound by its principles, asserting that stances should be adaptable to the issues at hand. He advocated for a pragmatic approach focused on the welfare of the people rather than rigid adherence to ideology. When questioned by the host Felix about the pervasive corruption in politics, Shankar countered that minimal corruption was achievable and attributed the prevalence of corruption to the inherent flaws in the traditional political system, particularly its reliance on monetary resources. He declared his intent to contest against the DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin in the Chepauk constituency, emphasizing his commitment to grassroots efforts in that area. When the host stepped in and inquired if Shankar would seek other political parties to consider him as an independent candidate within their alliance, Shankar promptly replied affirmatively. He indicated that he would definitely request such consideration. For instance, he mentioned how the AIADMK provided a seat to the PMK to contest against Udhayanidhi. He reasoned that there shouldn’t be an issue in granting him a seat, especially considering that in 2026, Udhayanidhi might be a candidate for Chief Minister post. Shankar expressed confidence that apart from the DMK, all other parties would be willing to offer him an opportunity.

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