NEW DELHI: DMK chief MK Stalin on Saturday took aim at Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay over his “conduct” in the state assembly, accusing the actor-turned-politician of treating the House like a film set and using it to deliver “punch dialogues”.Speaking at a DMK executive meeting, Stalin also accused Vijay‘s government of concentrating on changing the names of welfare schemes introduced during the DMK’s previous tenure.“The present chief minister is busy changing the names of all the schemes we introduced. He is treating the legislative assembly like a cinema set and delivering punch dialogues. As far as we are concerned, whether we win or lose, we are people who remain deeply connected with the day-to-day lives of the people,” MK Stalin said.Stalin’s remarks came as the DMK executive meeting also focused on changes to the party’s organisational structure, including measures aimed at bringing more young people into key positions.
Stalin says election defeat is not permanent setback
Addressing the party’s recent electoral defeat, Stalin said the DMK had lost an election but should not view the result as a permanent setback.“Let us consider this as an opportunity we have been given to plan the future of the party. This is going to be a very important Executive Committee meeting in the history of the party. With your approval, we are going to make major and significant changes to the organisational structure of the party,” said Stalin.He acknowledged that the performance of party office-bearers had contributed to the defeat and said the organisation needed to recognise its shortcomings instead of simply replacing individuals.“Even if the mistake is committed by an individual, it is the 75-year-old party that suffers because of it. After a defeat, many reasons are put forward. Instead of examining each constituency individually, identifying shortcomings and simply replacing people, I decided that we need to undertake a comprehensive self-assessment,” he said.
DMK sets age and term limits for party posts
The executive meeting passed a series of resolutions aimed at changing the party’s organisational structure and increasing the participation of younger members.The resolutions fixed the maximum age for a Branch Committee Secretary at 45 years. The post was initially limited to two terms, although the term limit was later increased to three terms following discussions with members of the DMK Executive Committee.The party also decided to create Branch Committees in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Salem corporations, as well as in other corporations wherever required, to strengthen Ward Committees.In Chennai Corporation, ward committees will cover an average of 10,000 voters, while the corresponding figure will be around 5,000 voters in other corporations.For Municipal, City and Town Panchayat Ward Committee Secretaries, the maximum age has been set at 50 years, with a maximum of three terms following the revised decision.The maximum age for Town Panchayat Committee Secretaries has been fixed at 60 years, with the same three-term limit.
DMK redraws local organisational structure
Under the new structure, Area Committees in Chennai Corporation will cover an average of 40,000 voters, while those in other corporations will cover around 30,000 voters.The maximum age for Area Committee Secretaries has been fixed at 60 years, with a maximum of three terms.
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City Committees will also cover an average of 40,000 voters. Their Secretaries will have a maximum age of 60 years and a three-term limit.The party has further decided that one Union Committee should be formed for every average 30,000 voters. Union Committee Secretaries will have a maximum age of 60 years and can serve for up to three terms.The organisational changes are part of Stalin’s broader effort to restructure the party following its electoral setback, with greater emphasis on youth participation, fixed tenure and a wider internal assessment of the party’s functioning.
