As the DMK prepares for an Assembly election sans any role for its expelled southern satrap M.K. Alagiri — the first such in the past 25 years — his former loyalist Thangam Thennarasu, who has been named the party’s poll in-charge for Madurai, is confident of handling the responsibility. Thennarasu, who owes his political baptism to Alagiri and had served as School Education Minister, says what mattered to the people was the party and its leader M. Karunanidhi.
“It is the DMK that has faced elections and once again is going to elections. Even five years ago we were in power. Now it has won the acceptability among neutral voters after party treasurer M.K. Stalin launched his Namakku Naamey road show,” he told The Hindu on Saturday.
Mr. Thangam Thennarasu felt Alagiri’s absence was unlikely to have any adverse impact at the hustings. “DMK headed by Kalaignar is a disciplined political party and in every phase of its history one leader or another has played their role. But these individuals alone cannot decide the outcome of elections. The party is above everyone,” he argued.
>Also read: Not yet time to write off Alagiri, say observers
According to him, Mr. Stalin’s novel campaign and reaching out to people, has not only rejuvenated the party organisation but has also earned the goodwill of people from all walks of life.
He rejected the argument that he was an outsider to Madurai since he hailed from Virudhunagar district. “The question does not arise as I have a long association with the party organisation in the district. I have a good equation with every leader of the party and the association will come in handy while managing the elections,” he said.
A three-time MLA, and son of late Minister Thangapandian, Mr. Thangam Thennarasu said the task before him was to ensure that the party won all the 10 Assembly seats in Madurai in the elections. “We have to prepare the party organisation from the grass root level for the elections. We have a well-oiled party machinery and the task is also to plug the loopholes and ensure cohesiveness between district unit and lower units,” he said.
The party had to simultaneously set up booth committees, appoint effective election agents and other structures for the election management.
Mr Thennarsu contended the DMK had won its first victory after the Madras High Court had favourably considered its petition highlighting the civic issues of Madurai city. “The Court has told us that we should bring the issues before it and it would set them right,” he said, recalling the recent direction of the court.
The Poll Team
Thangam Thennarasu
Madurai |
|
Virudhunagar | K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran |
Dindigul and Theni | I.Periyasamy |
Sivaganga | K.R. Periyakaruppan |
Thoothukudi | N. Periyasami |
Tirunelveli | Pon. Muthuramalingam |
Kanyakumari | J. Austin |
