Stalin targets Vijay, calls for DMK revamp after Assembly poll defeat
With the DMK looking to rebuild after its defeat in the April Assembly elections, party president M K Stalin on Saturday called for a grassroots campaign to win back voters and announced plans for organisational changes, while launching a sharp attack on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
Addressing party functionaries at the DMK executive committee meeting at Anna Arivalayam, Stalin said the party had bounced back from setbacks in the past and would do so again.
"We are specialists in making a comeback, and we will do it well," he said, urging cadres to begin work at the grassroots.
Stalin said the party's response to an electoral defeat should not be limited to internal criticism or waiting for the next election. He asked workers to engage with people and fight for their welfare regardless of whether they had voted for the DMK.
He also gave cadres a more immediate task — winning support within their own homes and neighbourhoods.
"First, campaign among your children and relatives. Before going out to campaign, you must secure the votes within your house, from your relatives, and from those in your neighborhood," he said.
Stalin targets Vijay
Stalin also took a swipe at Vijay, accusing the chief minister of renaming projects introduced by the DMK.
"He thinks of the Legislative Assembly as a movie set and delivers punch dialogues," Stalin said.
He alleged that the ruling TVK government had come to power without a history of public struggles, ideology or a strong organisational base.
Stalin said the DMK, in contrast, remained closely connected to people's everyday concerns whether in power or opposition.
DMK plans organisational overhaul
The DMK chief said the party needed to examine its own shortcomings following the election defeat rather than simply blaming individual leaders.
He said weaknesses in the functioning of party office-bearers had contributed to the setback and called for corrective measures.
A 38-member committee has been formed to gather feedback from party workers at the grassroots. The party has also launched a dedicated website where people can submit their views.
Stalin said the DMK would consider measures such as age and term limits for office-bearers and a more transparent membership recruitment process.
He urged cadres to enrol people willing to work under the party's principles and uphold the legacy of former chief ministers C N Annadurai and M Karunanidhi.
Stalin said the restructuring was aimed at strengthening the organisation for the long term and ensuring that the party remained capable of fighting future elections.
