The DMK, the principal Opposition party in Tamil Nadu, launched its Lok Sabha election campaign, though unofficially, late Saturday evening by organising a Christmas celebration in which heads of most of the Churches in the State participated with enthusiasm. Party President MK Stalin was the star of the evening and he celebrated in style by cutting the Christmas cake and joining the bishops and pastors in singing songs.
Though the Dravidian major does not organise any Hindu religious functions, it is in the forefront in celebrating Ramzan and Christmas. Stalin returned from the grand Christmas gala after getting the assurance from leaders of all Churches that the Christian community would vote en mass for the DMK led alliance.
The DMK chief entertained the gathering by unleashing a no-holds barred attack o Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. “It is the DMK that keeps the BJP at bay in Tamil Nadu. We have to ensure that the Hindutwa party is kept away from power at the Centre,” said Stalin while addressing the Christmas gathering.
Stalin described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “sadist” and exhorted the community members to take a vow to defeat the BJP at the national level. Ezra Surgunam, bishop Evangelical Church of India, termed as the DMK’s own bishop, along with bishops, vicars and pastors of various factions of the Church took part in the Christmas celebrations.
The bishops came out openly supporting the DMK in the forthcoming Lok Sabha election. It may be remembered that the letter written by the president of Tamil Nadu Bishops Council during the 2016 Assembly election asking the community members to vote for the DMK-led alliance had created a furore across the State.