Instagram, children were used for Vijay's victory: MK Stalin after DMK defeat

MK Stalin on Monday reflected on the DMK’s defeat in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, saying the party had failed to anticipate how social media platforms like Instagram and the use of children in campaigning would influence voters in favour of TVK.

“Using social media, Instagram and making children campaign to influence their mothers, grandparents and elders, calculatively it has been done which we failed to see,” the DMK president said, adding that the party would now work out strategies “to defeat such acts henceforth.”

Stalin, however, asserted that the DMK remained politically relevant despite losing power. “Several who spoke here were sad but we don’t have to be sad as we are only ruling,” he said.

Referring to the new government continuing welfare measures launched during the DMK regime, Stalin said that was proof the party’s policies still shaped governance in the state.

“We have seen several victories and several defeats. But DMK turns into a phoenix during defeat,” he said, insisting he had not broken down after the election loss.

The DMK chief said the party had started election work immediately after the results. But he questioned how the rival alliance managed to win despite, according to him, not appointing booth committee members, booth agents or even counting agents in several places.

“I did not break down after seeing the election defeat. We started our election work immediately after the parliamentary elections. We did a lot, but why couldn’t we come to power?”

Stalin said the party would remain cautious in future elections and adapt to what he described as a changing campaign model driven by social media influence and targeted voter outreach.