Discontent in DMK camp even before rebels’ arrival

While there is no denying that arrival of ex-ministers Senthil Balaji, which is believed to be a near certainty and probably P Palaniappan could be a shot in the arm for the principal opposition party, even if not organisationally, the DMK might also face some difficult questions from within its own flock in the respective party units. Add the rumours about offers of district secretary’s post to the arriving ‘defectors,’ it would only anger the district party units in Karur and Dharmapuri. The apprehensions of DMK cadre could not be dismissed given the contribution of earlier AIADMK defectors, who were rewarded with plum party posts.

“What did Erode Muthusamy or Sekar Babu bring to the party after they were appointed district secretaries? Sekar Babu is organising rallies aplenty, but what was his contribution during RK Nagar bypoll? He was one of the district secretaries in charge of the constituency, but we lost deposit? Erode DMK has not grown leaps and bounds even after Muthusamy’s appointment,” argued a DMK senior requesting anonymity.

“There is no harm in accommodating them but rewarding them instantly would create heartburn in the party districts,” the leader reasoned.