DMK plans more district posts in organisation revamp

In tune with its organisational shake up and creation of five new revenue districts, the DMK would most likely increase the number of party districts soon. 

It is expected that at least half a dozen new party districts would be created. To begin with Tiruchy district, whose secretary KN Nehru was appointed principal headquarters secretary a few days ago could be trifurcated. Existing Tiruchy North and South party districts would be split in to three.

If sources in the party are to be believed, a new district comprising Tiruverumbur, Manachanallur and Srirangam constituencies would be created.  

Tiruchy East, Tiruchy West and Lalgudi constituencies would be clubbed, while Musiri, Manaparai and Thoraiyur would form a separate party district.

Tiruverumbur MLA Mahesh Poyyamozhi, a close friend of party youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin and hailing from Mukkulathor community would likely be appointed secretary of the district comprising his constituency. ‘Kaduvetti’ Thiyagarajan, hailing from Muthuraja community, would head the Musirim, Manaparai and Thoraiyur district.

The idea of appointing members of select communities was proposed by Nehru when party chief MK Stalin had consulted him on his elevation and trifurcation of his stronghold. 

The trifurcation, party insiders admitted, was conceived mainly to accommodate Mahesh, whose elevation was the reason for Nehru being given a state-level assignment.

Likewise, the DMK high command has also mooted creation of new party districts for newly created revenue districts of Tirupattur, Ranipet, Chengalpatu, Kallakurichi and Tenkasi.

The high command, DMK insiders admitted under condition of anonymity, was understood to have planned to utilise the new revenue district creation to devolve powers and loosen the grip of long-time district secretaries and infuse young blood into the party. 

Tiruvallur is another party district which could be subjected to reorganisation soon.

The discontent in the DMK over Nehru’s elevation has failed to subside. Newly appointed principal headquarters secretary KN Nehru was in for a rude shock when the high command attempted to formalise the elevation of the Trichy strongman on Sunday. If sources in the party were to be believed, the chamber of the principal headquarters secretary had remained locked when a few seniors accompanied Nehru to his new office space. Inquiries revealed that Nehru’s predecessor TR Baalu had vacated the space, locked the room and took the key with him last week. Nehru had to wait till the staff at Anna Arivalayam found the spare key.