DMK's Stalin shoots workout video for PR, senior leaders call it unnecessary

Few days back DMK working president MK Stalin released a video of him working out vigorously in the gym.

While this is seen as the public relations strategy to strengthen his image during this time of political crisis in Tamil Nadu, his own party senior leaders call it unnecessary.

The video shows the 64-year-old Stalin doing some hardcore exercises including lifting dumbells. But many are wondering why the video which starts with the message "attitude and effort decides you " has been released now.

DMK spokesperson A Saravanan said, "Stalin believes in strict diet and health regime. The video shows how he is able to maintain health and take work seriously."

Saravanan added that this was not an image building strategy but just a message. "He doesn't need enhance his political image through this. He is the tallest leader now," he added.

But some senior DMK leaders disagree and told India Today that Stalin is being mislead by a team trying to promote his image.

NOT FITNESS BUT PROMOTE DMK IDEOLOGY

"DMK is a 70 year old party which does not need an individual image building. Instead Stalin should concentrate on promoting the party's ideologies," said a senior DMK leader who didn't want to be named.

M K Stalin got his exclusive public relations and image building team during 2014 Lok Sabha elections when he was given a free hand. After BJP came to power and DMK was washed out, Stalin's team started concentrating on 2016 assembly elections.

Pada Yathras, meeting people, dancing with tribes and yoga photos became popular. His yoga video was released in 2015 where Stalin said he loves sports and promoted yoga for good health.

But the team which worked for Narendra Modi could not ensure victory for DMK in 2016 assembly elections.

And now when Tamil Nadu has too many competitors for grabbing power especially stars like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, sources say Stalin also wants to reach out to people as a dynamic leader.

But taking a sarcastic view, political analyst GC Segar said, "He is unable to flex his muscles politically. So happy flexing them in the gym."

NOT AN OFFICIAL VIDEO

Madurai Central MLA, Palanivel Thiaga Rajan told India Today, "first thing to point is that it is not an official release. He is an extremely disciplined person. Despite a busy schedule, he maintains his health. That's how he stays fit because he is focused and disciplined."

"Lot of changes are taking place in politics, he had been asking us to stay fit. I used to be fit but because of hectic schedule my fitness routine was disrupted. This video was internally circulated among MLAs and district secretaries. Somebody has taken that video and edited with music and text. It was not intentional. It was more like encouragement for us. We have not traced the person who did it. It's not intended as a PR exercise and is not posted on official page of DMK," added Rajan.

VIDEO | DMK's Stalin shoots workout video to strengthen his political image