AIADMK sees local body results as warning signal
D.Govardan@timesgroup.com
Chennai:06.01.2020
A joint statement issued by AIADMK party coordinator O Panneerselvam and joint coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami, after the rural local body results were out last week, was high on confidence, if not elation. While the ruling AIADMKled alliance finished second, what should be worrying its leadership is the fact that it conceded large ground of its traditional vote bank in rural Tamil Nadu to the opposition DMK.
AIADMK leaders, down the line, concede in private that it is a matter of worry. But, while agreeing that the results have set off alarm bells ahead of the assembly polls next year, not many are willing to see it as a setback.
“The results have thrown up mixed reactions among partymen,” said a senior AIADMK leader. AIADMK is happy that EPS, OPS, minister K A Sengottaiyan and those with financial muscle including P Thangamani, S P Velumani and M R Vijayabhaskar delivered well in their districts. The party holding its forte in the “kongu” belt has also come as a relief.
“But, the losses in Thanjavur and Krishnagiri, where party deputy coordinators R Vaithilingam and K P Munusamy are in control, indicate that these leaders neither have the connect with the people nor with the cadres,” the leader said. With the party settling down to functioning under the “dual leadership”, there is little for EPS to fear in retaining his hold over the government.
A section in the party feels the results should set off alarm bells that all is not well in the party and it needs to work harder and reach out to people more vigorously. “It is kind of a mid-term health check-up. There are warning signals, but the results are not a setback,” quipped a former AIADMK MP.
In fact, state dairy minister K T Rajenthra Bhalaji appreciated the vigour with which DMK cadres fought the polls. “The fight was only between AIADMK and DMK. While we were satisfied with the belief that we will win, one has to appreciate DMK workers for their tireless efforts. We will have an internal discussion on this,” Bhalaji told reporters in Sivakasi on Sunday.
D.Govardan@timesgroup.com
Chennai:06.01.2020
A joint statement issued by AIADMK party coordinator O Panneerselvam and joint coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami, after the rural local body results were out last week, was high on confidence, if not elation. While the ruling AIADMKled alliance finished second, what should be worrying its leadership is the fact that it conceded large ground of its traditional vote bank in rural Tamil Nadu to the opposition DMK.
AIADMK leaders, down the line, concede in private that it is a matter of worry. But, while agreeing that the results have set off alarm bells ahead of the assembly polls next year, not many are willing to see it as a setback.
“The results have thrown up mixed reactions among partymen,” said a senior AIADMK leader. AIADMK is happy that EPS, OPS, minister K A Sengottaiyan and those with financial muscle including P Thangamani, S P Velumani and M R Vijayabhaskar delivered well in their districts. The party holding its forte in the “kongu” belt has also come as a relief.
“But, the losses in Thanjavur and Krishnagiri, where party deputy coordinators R Vaithilingam and K P Munusamy are in control, indicate that these leaders neither have the connect with the people nor with the cadres,” the leader said. With the party settling down to functioning under the “dual leadership”, there is little for EPS to fear in retaining his hold over the government.
A section in the party feels the results should set off alarm bells that all is not well in the party and it needs to work harder and reach out to people more vigorously. “It is kind of a mid-term health check-up. There are warning signals, but the results are not a setback,” quipped a former AIADMK MP.
In fact, state dairy minister K T Rajenthra Bhalaji appreciated the vigour with which DMK cadres fought the polls. “The fight was only between AIADMK and DMK. While we were satisfied with the belief that we will win, one has to appreciate DMK workers for their tireless efforts. We will have an internal discussion on this,” Bhalaji told reporters in Sivakasi on Sunday.
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