Buoyed over the victory of party candidates in half a dozen panchayat wards across the State in the just concluded civic body election, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has started efforts to strengthen its mass base in Tamil-speaking areas of Palakkad district, especially in Attappady and Chittur blocks.
A mega party convention was held at Agali in Attappady last Friday with the participation of party leaders from neighbouring Coimbatore and Tirupur. Over 2,000 Tamil settlers in Attappady had taken part in the meeting in which financial aids were distributed among a set of selected poor tribes. A mega convention will be held soon in the presence of Tamil Nadu Minister S.P. Velumani in Attappady.
Efforts are on to build up the party in Tamil-speaking areas of Chittur block like Kozhinjampara, Muthalamada, Nallepilly and Eruthempathy. Party candidates have won single seats in both Kozhinjampara and Eruthempathy garama panchayats in the local body election.
Enormous response
“We are getting enormous response in Attappady. The party has decided to take up issues concerning both tribes and Tamil settlers. Earlier, there were concerted attempts to keep the two communities as enemies forever. Now, we are telling them to live in harmony,” said M. Sukumaran, party organising secretary in Attappady, when contacted by The Hindu . Mr. Sukumaran was a local social worker involved in organising several tribal agitations. He said the party would prove its strength in the coming Assembly election.
“In the Chittur area, we are focusing on the livelihood and survival issues of the local community. Success of our two candidates in the local body election has prompted many people to join our league. People irrespective of their language affiliations are now joining the AIADMK,” said party leader S. Ravi, who lost the election in Ward 14 of Nalleppilly grama panchayat for a narrow margin. Mr. Ravi joined the party after leaving the CPI(M).
Last week, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa met the newly elected panchayat members from Kerala at the Coimbatore airport. “Jayalalithaa congratulated the winners and asked us to work for the development of the respective regions and welfare of the people. Amma told us to follow the development works happening in Tamil Nadu. She also told us to be in touch with her for all help and guidance,” said Mr. Sukumaran. He said the focus was now own building up the party and the possibility of electoral alliances would be decided later.
