AIADMK kicks off membership drive amid Dinakaran's challenge

In keeping with the party norms, the membership drive to enrol new members was launched, the party said.

Party rules require renewal of membership and a fresh enrolment drive every five years.

The ruling AIADMK, led by party coordinators Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and Chief Minister K Palaniswami is already pruning the party organisation by going in for wholesale expulsions of those who sided with the Dinakaran camp and for other 'anti-party' activities.

Palaniswami and Panneerselvam, who merged the factions led by them in August 2017, had last month warned of action against those who go against the party, following its loss in the December 21 RK Nagar assembly bypoll, won by TTV Dinakaran.

Since then, hundreds of party workers owing allegiance to the sidelined leader have been expelled from the party.

Panneerselvam said the party was keen to go beyond the current cadre strength of about 1.50 crore.

To a question, he said new secretaries would be named for as many as six party districts.

Asked if DMK chief M Karunanidhi would be invited to the valedictory function of late Chief Minister M G Ramachandran's centenary, he said,"wait and see."

MGR had floated AIADMK in October 1972 after differences with Karunanidhi.

On local body polls, Panneerselvam said it would be held after a court verdict in this regard.

The local body polls were scheduled to be held in October 2016, but has been delayed by litigations.

On a letter purportedly written by party veteran E Madhusudanan (who lost the RK Nagar bypoll) claiming that his chances of victory were compromised due to a party leader, Palaniswami said it was an internal party matter, adding that the issue has already been addressed.

He had some days ago said that the issue was addressed to the satisfaction of party functionaries.