Though the DMK had formed a committee to look into the reasons for the party’s debacle in the recent Assembly elections and had also taken note of the committee’s findings, nothing concrete has been done far by the high command to set right the flaws pointed out in the reports.
Chennai: The calling of the Principal Executive Committee meeting of the DMK for the next Saturday, August 22, by party general secretary Duraimurugan triggered speculations over a possible massive revamp of the party structure as it is seen as a moment to take stock of the situation and usher in essential changes.
Since Duraimurugan’s notification, issued on Friday, said party president M K Stalin would preside over the meeting, scheduled for 10 am at the Kalignar Arangam in the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, and mentioned a single agenda to discuss ‘the constructive work’ to the done by the party, it led to the speculations.
Though the DMK had formed a committee to look into the reasons for the party’s debacle in the recent Assembly elections and had also taken note of the committee’s findings, nothing concrete has been done far by the high command to set right the flaws pointed out in the reports.
The talk in the party circles is that the axe will fall on at least 10 district secretaries for the abysmal performance in the elections that led to the TVK winning 108 seats in the 234 member Assembly and even capturing power with the support of parties that contested the polls as allies of the DMK.
There is also a rumour of a plan to increase the number of party districts by bringing two Assembly constituencies under one district to improve the management of the party functionaries and cadre with an eye on the coming elections like that for the local bodies that would be held soon, the by-elections to fill the vacancies caused by the resignation of some MLAs and for the Lok Sabha that is due in 2029.
Another key decision that would be taken in the executive meeting would be the celebrations of the party’s traditional ‘Muperum Vizha’ (three great festivals) marking the birth anniversary of party founder C N Annadurai on September 15, the DMK’s founding day on September 16 and the birth anniversary of Periyar E V Ramasamy on September 17.
Since the party is now out of power, the organization of the ‘Mupperum Vizha’ will be given importance to rekindle the enthusiasm of the cadre and make the DMK relevant to the younger generation, whose migration to other parties has been a matter of concern to the leaders.
The party grapevine also has it that the executive could discuss giving an appropriate party post to the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is only the DMK youth wing general secretary. Roping him into the main party’s structure could be an agenda, many feel.
Above all, with the three month grace period given to the ruling party coming to an end, the strategy to be adopted in future to take on the government by pointing out its mistakes would be discussed and finalized at the meeting.
