CHENNAI: While the mercury is expected to rise with the onset of dog days, the political temperature in the state is coming down with parties going for indoor meetings to discuss organisatuional activities.
With no local body polls or Assembly session in sight, the leaders of parties are focusing their attention on intra-party issues and measures to build the party. Although, the State Election Commission had filed an affidavit in the Madras high court promising to conduct the civic body elections in July, it had added a rider saying that it would depend on the co-operation of the state government.
The SEC’s stand and the lack of enthusiasm in the ruling AIADMK to go for the local body polls have led to an impression that the holding of civic polls in July is uncertain. .
Besides, the Cabinet meeting, which followed leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin’s demand for convening the Assembly session raised expectations that the government would announce the schedule for the discussion on demands for grants to various ministries. But, there is no indication of the Assembly session immediately as the government is said to be preparing the policy notes and other announcements to be made for the various departments.
With the onset of ‘Agni natchathiram’, the hottest period in the state beginning from Thursday, parties have reduced their outdoor activities and using the time for indoor discussions to set right the organisational matters. It is hard to gather people for public meetings under the blazing sun and people are coming out in the evening only to enjoy school holidays with children.
In the DMK, it is appraisal time for district secretaries after a long time. In the AIADMK too, both factions are concentrating on proving that the party is with them. The camp led by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami is preparing affidavits of party’s lower level functionaries and cadre to be submitted to the Election Commission of India to retrieve ‘two leaves’ symbol.
The group headed by former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has started a statewide tour to mobilise the cadre and appoint convenors for his new party in every district.
With reports of national parties like the BJP and Congress bringing nationwide changes in the organization, the state units are eagerly waiting for the likely changes in Tamil Nadu.
