Has AIADMK’s ‘Bye-Bye Stalin’ Campaign Started a New Chapter?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- AIADMK launches ‘Bye-Bye Stalin!’ campaign.
- Focus on public dissatisfaction with DMK.
- Criticism of rising taxes and abandoned welfare schemes.
- Potential impact on voter sentiment ahead of 2026 elections.
- Strategic use of social media to engage voters.
Chennai, July 10 (NationPress) The AIADMK has initiated a vibrant social media initiative named ‘Bye-Bye Stalin!’ to align with the statewide journey of the party's General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS).
This tour is designed to rally public support against the current DMK government as the 2026 Assembly elections approach.
The campaign, led by the AIADMK’s IT division, includes an animated video that has been shared across the party’s official social media channels and widely disseminated by party members.
This video aims to depict the DMK administration under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin as detrimental to the public and accuses it of failing to deliver on crucial electoral commitments made during the 2021 Assembly elections.
A significant issue highlighted in the campaign is the DMK government's decision to raise taxes and electricity charges, which the AIADMK argues has placed a considerable burden on ordinary citizens.
The video characterizes these actions as “anti-people” and implies a growing disconnect between the government and its constituents.
Furthermore, the AIADMK criticizes Chief Minister Stalin for allegedly not honoring numerous prominent pre-election promises, such as abolishing the NEET exam and forgiving student education loans—commitments that resonated with many young people and parents during the 2021 campaign.
The initiative also targets the DMK for halting popular welfare programs initiated by the previous AIADMK regime, including the free laptop distribution for students and the ‘Thangathu Thali’ scheme that provided gold support for marriages in economically disadvantaged families.
Reinforcing its long-held accusation of dynastic politics, the AIADMK video also addresses CM Stalin and his family, alleging that they promote familial dominance over democratic governance.
The campaign does not solely focus on policy critiques; it also references the recent Kallakurichi hooch disaster, which resulted in over 60 fatalities, as evidence of alleged administrative incompetence.
Insiders within the party believe that this digital strategy, launched well ahead of the elections, will shape the narrative on the ground and bolster EPS’ campaign to unseat the DMK from power.