Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) supremo and Tamil Nadu’s former Chief Minister (CM) MK Stalin on Monday reflected on his party’s defeat in the recently-held Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026. He said the DMK had underestimated the growing influence of social-media driven campaigning and emotionally targeted voter outreach employed by rival party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-turned-politician Vijay. 

While addressing members of the DMK after facing a setback in elections, Stalin said that platforms like Instagram played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion, particularly among younger voters and families. 

Stalin sheds light on TVK’s strategic approach

TN’s former CM said that the opposition alliance had carefully crafted a campaign strategy, which used children to indirectly influence elderly voters and women within households. 

He remarked, “Using social media platforms, Instagram and making kids campaign to influence their moms, grandmothers and elders, calculatively it has been done which we failed to see.” The DMK chief also admitted that the party failed to anticipate the scale and emotional impact of such outreach methods. He added that the party would now prepare counter-strategies to deal with such campaign models in the upcoming elections. 

“DMK remains relevant despite defeat”: Stalin

Adding to his statements, Stalin said that despite losing power in the state, DMK continued to remain ideologically and politically influential in Tamil Nadu. He, in a bid to boost the morale of party workers, said there was no reason for despair within the organisation. He asserted, “Several who spoke here were sad, but we don’t have to be sad as we are only ruling.” adding that many welfare policies introduced during the party’s tenure were still shaping governance under the new administration. 

Stalin then pointed out that the continuation of welfare measures initiated by the DMK demonstrated the enduring relevance of the party’s governance model and public policies. 

Stalin compares DMK to Phoenix

The party president thereafter drew parallel with previous political setbacks faced by the DMK, and said it repeatedly emerged stronger after defeats. He said, “We have seen several victories and a number of defeats. But DMK turns into a Phoenix during defeat,” insisting that electoral loss had not demoralised him personally. He also revealed that the party had immediately begun preparations for future electoral battles soon after the Assembly Poll results 2026.