DMK plans major organisational overhaul after defeat in TN Assembly polls

Chennai, June 9 (IANS) Stung by its defeat in the recent Tamil Nadu Assembly election, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) is preparing for a major organisational restructuring aimed at revitalising the party and strengthening its grassroots network ahead of future electoral battles.

Party sources said the leadership is seriously considering increasing the number of district secretaries from the current 78 to more than 100, based on recommendations expected from the party’s election review committee.

The proposed changes are part of a broader exercise to identify shortcomings that contributed to the party’s electoral setback and to streamline the organisation for more effective political mobilisation.

The 38-member review committee, constituted soon after the election defeat, has been touring districts across Tamil Nadu and holding extensive consultations with party functionaries, former candidates and grassroots workers.

The panel is expected to submit its final report to the party leadership on June 10 after completing its statewide assessment.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, several recurring concerns emerged during the consultations. Cadres reportedly highlighted unresolved factional disputes within local units, weak coordination mechanisms and organisational deficiencies that affected campaign effectiveness.

Some leaders also expressed dissatisfaction over the level of cooperation extended by alliance partners during the election campaign and in the post-election period. A section of party functionaries reportedly argued that the DMK should consider contesting the upcoming local body elections independently rather than relying on coalition partners. Others stressed the need to promote younger leaders and provide greater opportunities for emerging cadres in both organisational responsibilities and electoral politics.

One of the key recommendations under consideration is a reorganisation of district units to reduce the workload of district secretaries. At present, each district secretary oversees between four and six Assembly constituencies. Under the proposed model, the number could be reduced to two to four constituencies per district unit, resulting in the creation of several new districts and expanding the total number of district secretaries beyond 100.

The review committee itself reflects the party’s growing emphasis on generational change.

A majority of its members are younger leaders and youth wing functionaries, many of whom are considered close to Youth Wing Secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin.

Party insiders say the forthcoming report could lay the foundation for the most significant organisational restructuring undertaken by the DMK in recent years as it seeks to regroup, address internal weaknesses and prepare for the next round of electoral contests.

–IANS

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