COIMBATORE: DMK deputy general secretary and MP Kanimozhi on Tuesday said the party will reclaim its political fortress in western districts.
Addressing a party meeting in Tirupur, Kanimozhi said there is a perception that the Kongu districts do not favour DMK. “But the western region remained a fortress of DMK. Our conference ‘Vellum Tamil Pengal’ by the party’s women’s wing of the zone, to be held in Palladam on December 29, will reclaim the bastion,” she said.

Chief Minister MK Stalin is expected to participate in the conference, which aims to highlight the role of women in politics, showcase the State government's welfare schemes for women, and strengthen the party’s presence in Kongu region.

Later, after inspecting the conference venue and the arrangements being made, Kanimozhi told the media that up to 2 lakh women are expected to attend the meeting.

The DMK leader added that the Stalin regime transformed Tamil Nadu into the country’s leading growth-driven State, after taking over the debt-ridden State at the end of AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami's regime.

On the election manifesto front, she said that it would focus on development-oriented promises rather than populist gimmicks. The DMK leader told the media that DMK’s manifesto will be the people’s manifesto.

“The manifesto will be prepared after consultations with party functionaries and representatives from various sectors, including industry and agriculture. Chief Minister MK Stalin has insisted that the manifesto must reflect people’s aspirations,” she said, exuding confidence that the Dravidian model of governance would continue after polls.

Taking a veiled dig at TVK chief Vijay, Kanimozhi said one shouldn’t expect to become a Chief Minister just by starting a party. “Results don’t come immediately after an exam,” she said.