Karunanidhi took upon himself the task of resurrecting the party
DMK president M. Karunandhi chairs the high-level strategy committee meeting to discuss poll debacle at Anna Arivalayam on Monday (Photo: Deccan Chronicle)
Chennai: Oligarchy loving DMK regional satraps got a breather on Monday after their thalaivar M. Karunanidhi chose caution instead of admonition and deferred the much-needed party restructuring.
On the eve of his 91st birthday, Karunanidhi also took upon himself the task of resurrecting the party after the fatal blow DMK suffered in the LS poll he badly would want to forget, just like the previous general council meetings that authorised him to finalise alliances.
The much-hyped party high-level strategy committee meet he chaired at Anna Arivalayam this morning set June 15 as deadline to the party LS candidates and constituency in-charge to personally submit him a field report on the poll rout.
Also, it set up a committee to restructure the party, particularly for simplifying and increasing the efficiency of the party district units, contrary to the expectations of cadres who wanted to see a few district secretaries holding posts for an embarrassingly long time lose their jobs.
Unlike his rival J. Jayalalithaa who fired two ministers for losing two seats, Karunanidhi did not disturb even a single ex-minister, wary of loud murmurs about Stalin’s failed electioneering strategy and rumour mills spinning over time about some heavyweights defecting to the rival AIADMK camp.
“Thalaivar will not sack district secretaries rashly. It’s not like the old days. Party is at its lowest ebb now. Organisational rejig will definitely happen, but only on receipt of LS candidates’ and restructuring committee reports so that it would be considered democratic and punished district secretaries will not have much to complain,” said a party senior who attended the meet.
“Even the imminent restructuring will not be a tough decision. The assembly poll is barely two years away. Therefore, a few party districts will be bifurcated so that youngster will be accommodated without offending old horses,” the party senior added.
In instructing LS candidates to personally submit him the report, Karunanidhi has also ensured confidentiality so much so that only he or anyone he wishes could identify the real spoiler. The restructuring would also include trifurcation of Chennai DMK, which would see Stalin loyalists like former mayor M Subramanian appointed district secretary in the days to come.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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