“People Studies” poll survey leaves MK Stalin supporters elated

One conclusion of the study that had enthused the DMK cadres even more than the party inching close to arch rival AIADMK was that people in the 80 constituencies taken up for the study, have accepted Stalin more than Karunanidhi as their preferred choice of chief ministerial candidate.

Qualification, efficiency and chance were the three parameters based on which the respondents were asked to pick their choice of CM for 2016. After incumbent Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, who has topped the chart with 31.56 per cent votes, DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin has emerged runner up with 27.98% followed by Karunanidhi who trailed his son by a surprise 6.65%.

That their party chief had to be content with a bronze medal did not evoke any sympathy among most DMK cadres, who were jubilant over their “thalapathi’ surpassing their ‘thalaivar’’.

A party district secretary, requesting anonymity, described it as “mere beginning” and said the percentage would increase further when Stalin completes his State-wide tour in a couple of months.

The survey seems to create an opinion in favour of DMK and more particularly for Stalin, Dr Ramadoss said in a statement. Normally only one choice per party would be given for the best chief ministerial candidate whereas two choices were given for DMK, Ramadoss said, adding the survey has several contradictions.

Dr Ramadoss said 31.56 per cent of those surveyed had preferred Jayalalithaa for the

chief minister post while 34.1 per cent said they would vote for AIADMK. Ironically, the total percentage of who prefer Stalin and Karunanidhi for the chief minister post comes to 49.31 percent whereas those who prefer DMK to come to power are only 32.6 percent. “Hence no one will accept the findings of the survey which is self contradictory,” he said. He alleged that the survey was done to help Stalin.