DMK leaders get time to lobby for posts

A couple of second rung leaders have started making the moves, unmindful of their efforts fetching dividend. It was reliably learnt that some second rung leaders, who caught whiff of the DMK high command nearly seconding the elevation of Duraimurugan and possibly TR Baalu to the office of general secretary and treasurer, respectively, have started approaching influential members of the DMK first family for an elevation.

An influential district secretary in northern district, who was vying for the treasurer post, was understood to have prayed for deputy general secretary post. Another district secretary, who was a minister in the previous DMK tenure, has also tried to warm up to an influential member of Stalin’s family for a state-level post.

“The March 29 date for general council gave them very little time to maneuver. Now, it is apparent that general secretary and treasurer posts are almost decided. So, a few aspirants have started lobbying for state level posts in the interim. The postponement has given them time to negotiate with the high command,” said a DMK senior requesting anonymity.

However, information trickling out of Anna Arivalayam does not inspire confidence among the aspirants. DMK president MK Stalin, party insiders revealed, has not thought beyond general secretary and treasurer. He was favourably disposed to elevating EV Velu, but his AIADMK origin has almost deterred his elevation to treasurer post. So, the party chief might consider a smaller post like deputy general secretary.

“There is no bar on number of deputy general secretaries in the party. A couple of additional posts could be created to accommodate leaders like Velu and Ponmudi. It requires no bylaw amendment either. Postponement has got them additional time to expedite their elevation, which was not in Stalin’s original plan for the March 29 general council meeting,” said a DMK insider who did not wish to be named.