AIADMK, AMMK restructure party ahead of LS polls

Both have begun party restructuring efforts by replacing key party functionaries as district secretaries, forming constituency-wise poll in-charges, drawing up a campaign chart of party leaders, besides working on IT-enabled campaign strategies. The parties are roping in young functionaries and seasoned politicians as poll managers in all 21 Assembly seats that are vacant.

According to AIADMK sources, the party has finalised the names of potential candidates for the Lok Sabha seats. In case of the Assembly bypolls, that will decide on the fate of the AIADMK government, party leaders Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam are to handpick the candidates based on the recommendations from local district secretaries, party sources said.

Secretaries have been changed in four districts and bifurcation of the party unit in big districts like Thoothukudi is also being done to micromanage the election works.

The party had also elevated former ministers as organising secretaries. The district secretaries have been asked to fill the vacant posts in all the party wings and district units.

The ruling party has also directed its IT wing to develop visuals and video jingles to be used for the poll campaign. Popular movies of famous actors and popular songs are being selected by a team of AIADMK IT workers and the campaign material seeking votes are to be introduced into these visuals. Campaign vans with LED screens are to be used for the campaign. Popular movies with campaign inserts will be screened, an informed AIADMK functionary told DT Next.

As part of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s birthday functions, all the district units have been instructed to organise marriage, baby shower functions and provide gold rings for the new born. In Theni, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had organised a mega-marriage function for 71 couples.

According to an AMMK district secretary, “Dhinakaran has expanded the party wings across the state. Zone-wise members have been appointed to take care of poll works. Constituency in-charge, district in-charge and regional managers have been appointed to support the existing poll managers.”