The Hindu : Front Page : New DMK office-bearers shortly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 03, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

New DMK office-bearers shortly

R.K. Radhakrishnan

Intra-party elections will be completed by the end of 2008
General council members term the criticism by allies unfounded

CHENNAI: Making it clear that a change in the DMK’s organisational set-up is in the offing at the end of intra-party elections to be completed later this year, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said on Monday that new office-bearers would take charge and the existing ones would be replaced.

Addressing members of the DMK general council at the party headquarters Anna Arivalayam here, Mr. Karunanidhi said the changes would not let anyone down. He wanted the party’s rank and file to be prepared to welcome the “change for the better.” The DMK was unable to complete its organisational elections in time this year because of unseasonal rain, flooding and related incidents. The general council adopted a resolution to allow the existing office-bearers to continue till the process is over. Elections at all levels have to be completed before the top leadership is elected. The resolution stated that the elections would be completed by the end of 2008.

Going by the current pace of the elections, marred by violence in some places, it is expected that they will be completed around September.

Activists cautioned

Mr. Karunanidhi cautioned party workers against getting agitated during the elections, and said one party activist should not work against another. “Do not allow the small incidents to overwhelm you. You should shake these off and remember that we are children of the same mother.” A recurring theme the general council members touched upon was the criticism by allies. Many, including Kuttalam Kalyanam, Tiruchi Siva and Kulithalai Sivaraman, said that in many cases, the criticism was unfounded and uncalled for.

Mr. Karunnaidhi said he was aware that political parties spoke differently when they were about to form an alliance, after they formed an alliance and when they were allies. “They also need to run their parties, don’t they?” he asked, urging DMK leaders to remain calm. “They are pointing to the deficiencies of the DMK government because only then can they be Opposition parties,” he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page