Chennai, August 15: The DMK is gearing up to strengthen its organization by incorporating women and youth into influential positions following its electoral setback in Tamil Nadu. This includes the powerful role of district secretary.
The proposed changes are seen as a strategy to counter Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and the TVK, whose electoral success is largely attributed to robust support from young voters.
DMK leaders believe that integrating younger faces into the organizational structure can help the party reconnect with this crucial voter demographic.
During the restructuring process, it is also expected that female officials will gain more representation. Currently, there are 78 organizational district secretaries in the DMK, with former minister P. Geetha Jeevan being the only woman in this influential position, leading the party’s Thoothukudi district unit.
Geetha Jeevan is the daughter of the late DMK leader N. Periyasamy, a prominent figure in southern Tamil Nadu. No other woman has been appointed as a district secretary, raising demands for more inclusive representation within the party.
The position of district secretary is highly influential, playing a critical role in coordinating election activities, organizing workers, and maintaining communication between grassroots and state leadership.
Party sources indicate that leadership is particularly concerned about the lack of young faces in these positions. Most current officeholders are seasoned leaders who have been part of the organization for many years.
Changes are expected to be more apparent in Chennai and its neighboring districts, where the DMK’s performance in the recent assembly elections fell short of leadership expectations.
Currently, there are six organizational district secretaries in Chennai, most of whom are well-known figures. The leadership is considering promoting officials from the party’s youth, women, and student organizations to bring about changes in the mid-level organizational structure in these areas.
DMK student wing secretary J. Veeramani welcomed the proposal, stating that increased representation for women and youth would strengthen both the party and the objectives of women’s empowerment.
The party is also contemplating increasing the number of organizational districts from 78 to nearly 100. Sources suggest that smaller district bodies would facilitate easier management of party operations, improve coordination among officials, and allow leadership to monitor grassroots political activities more effectively ahead of upcoming elections.
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S.A.K./V.C.
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