Post election debacle, DMK plans big reorganisation

Panel proposed to look into factors which led to washout

After the poll debacle, the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led by its chief M Karunanidhi on Monday opted for revamping the party, including setting up a committee to make recommendations on internal restructuring.

During a crucial meeting held here, the party passed various resolutions after studying various factors for its poor show in the recent Lok Sabha polls and took a decision in this regard.

The proposed committee, comprising senior leaders, will be entrusted with the task of identifying deficiencies within the party and recommend corrective measures to boost the morale of its cadres ahead of the Assembly polls, set to be held after two years.

It also asked all its district secretaries and election in-charges of respective constituencies to submit a report on the election performance before June 15.

The meeting also discussed developments that battered the party ahead of the polls, including the expulsion of its South Zone Organising Secretary and Karunanidhi’s elder son M K Alagiri and his outbursts against the party.

Party sources said some leaders were also suggesting to bring back Alagiri for strengthening the party.

The meeting was attended by General Secretary Anbazhagan, Karunanidhi’s son and DMK treasurer M K Stalin, who led the party campaign, Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi, district secretaries and other senior party functionaries.

The DMK, which was even pushed to third position in several constituencies in the Lok Sabha elections, also demanded proportional representation system in elections.
Another resolution condemned the state government’s alleged poll malpractices. The party accused the ruling AIADMK of distributing money to voters during the elections and alleged that the Election Commission had “helped” the ruling party.