DMK's Ad Spending Via Company Owned By CM Stalin's Son-In-Law Becomes Talking Point After Annamalai Cites It As Example Of Crony Capitalism

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (DMK) expenditure on social media ads has come under scrutiny recently after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president K Annamalai's remarks at a press meet.

He said that the DMK had spent a sum of Rs 7,39,93,750 crore for its social media ads and the amount was given to Populous Empowerment Network (PEN), a company in which Chief Minister M K Stalin's son-in-law, V Sabareesan has a 99 per cent stake.

He added that it is this kind of crony capitalism and dynastic politics that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to end.

The ads referred to by Annamalai were for promoting social media posts made by a page called "Ellorum Nammudan," according to a report by The Commune.

For instance, a few lakh rupees were spent for every ad campaign to promote a song portraying the DMK government in a good light.

The report further states that PEN has another page called "Stalinin Kural" which spent Rs 5,035,742 on ads. Earlier a report by Economic Times stated that PEN had spent Rs 9.25 crore on Google ads.

Sabareesan and Chief Minister Stalin's son Udhayanidhi Stalin were at the centre of controversy last year as they were said to have amassed Rs 30000 crore in an audio tape alleged to be that of the state's former Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan.