Opposition leader and DMK Treasurer MK Stalin attended the swearing-in ceremony of arch-rival and AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa on Monday. Stalin received praise on social media for rising above the petty, vendetta politics that has driven Tamil Nadu’s politics for several decades.
Good to see @mkstalin attend Jayalalithaa's swearing in ceremony. Civility and courteousness in politics always good. @AIADMKOfficial
— Zakka Jacob (@Zakka_Jacob) May 23, 2016
Great to see Real Thalapathy @mkstalin in TN CM swearing ceremony funtion #Respect https://t.co/IxMJjxm3Fj
— Ajith R Rajesh (@ahsuna007) May 23, 2016
MK Stalin attending JJ swearing-in ceremony! We are witnessing something very new in Tamil Nadu Politics #WelcomeChange
— மாதவன்.ம (@SethuMa11430055) May 23, 2016
DMK supremo Karunanidhi, in a statement, criticised Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for seating Stalin in the back, while giving a front-row seat to actor-politician R Sarathkumar, who lost the elections. He said that this was an example of her innate revenge mentality, and that she had not, and would not change. It is only for the people of Tamil Nadu to reform, he added.
The DMK’s heir apparent was seated in the 10th row at the venue, behind other VIP dignitaries. Stalin, who had attended Jayalalithaa’s swearing-in ceremony in 2001, chose to skip her 2011 oath-taking following the DMK’s rout in the assembly elections that year.
After the ceremony, Stalin tweeted that he hoped the CM would work for the people and fulfill her campaign promises.
Attended the swearing in of TN CM today. Hope that she fulfils her election promises and works hard for the people of TN. Wish her the best
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) May 23, 2016