Pioneer in short

Stalin owns DMK poll defeat in TN

DMK president M K Stalin on Thursday took responsibility for the party’s defeat in the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and announced a committee to analyse the setback and submit a report within 20 days. Addressing district secretaries at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, Stalin said he would not blame anyone for the loss, adding that accepting responsibility for failure was as important as claiming credit for victory. Taking a swipe at the AIADMK, Stalin said the DMK was “mature enough” not to confine its MLAs to resorts or star hotels after the fractured verdict. The AIADMK had shifted its legislators to a Puducherry resort after the May 4 results produced a hung Assembly. Stalin noted that the DMK won 59 seats, while the tally with allies stood at 73. He also warned party members to remain prepared for possible early Assembly and LS elections.