Chennai: Exuding confidence that his govt’s performance would help continue DMK’s winning streak in the forthcoming assembly election, chief minister M K Stalin on Friday said people of Tamil Nadu had already decided that DMK’s Dravidian Model govt would continue. “I say this with full confidence that our govt will return to continue Dravidian Model 2.0. We will win again and again,” CM said while replying to motion of thanks to governor’s address. Stalin admitted that though he was happy when DMK formed govt for the sixth time after it romped home in the 2021 assembly poll, he was equally worried. “I was worried whether I am going to handle the responsibility. Whether the promises can be fulfilled. Whether he could govern the state as desired by people. And he can run govt to keep people happy,” he noted. He said he had two challenges: 10 years of AIADMK’s poor regime that took the state and growth downhill, and the discriminatory govt at the centre.
“After five years of Dravidian Model regime, I am happy. In fact, I am very, very happy,” said CM, and the same was endorsed by his cabinet colleagues, members of the treasury bench, and allies. Except O Panneerselvam and his supporter Ayyappan, the entire opposition camp boycotted CM’s speech, leaving almost the entire opposition bench empty. The reason for his happiness was that people were happy, he said, adding, “I achieved my goal. The Dravidian Model govt’s achievements took forward the state and delivered governance to satisfy people of the state.” He continued that the forthcoming Dravidian Model govt would perform even better and set a new benchmark in all sectors. Recalling his first signature to unveil free bus travel for women in city buses, the CM listed various schemes.