After narrow victory, DMK to introspect performance

“Comparing the narrow margin to the huge victories DMK candidates managed to secure in the April 18 general elections, local party leaders are wondering why their vote share slid down. If not for the minority votes from Ambur, Vaniyambadi and Vellore assembly segments, we might have lost the election. This has proved that the AIADMK has increased its vote share,” said a senior party functionary on condition of anonymity.

The common feeling among DMK cadre, who are reluctant to share their views with the media, is that the party failed to muster support from its allies. Apart from party president MK Stalin, who spent five days in the constituency canvassing for votes through morning walks and regular vehicle campaign, no other leader was seen on the field on a regular basis.

Allies like MDMK, VCK, Congress and the left parties participated only in the last public meeting on the day of campaign.

However, sources refused to reveal whether the party high command failed to invite alliance party leaders for campaigning in the constituency. “Votes from Gudiyattam and KV Kuppam reserved constituencies which went in favour of NDA’s AC Shanmugam could have come to us if VCK founder Thol Thirumavalavan had campaigned in those areas.”

Similarly, cadres were also irked that Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi failed to campaign in the constituency. Though she was scheduled address political rallies, plans changed in the last minute and she failed make an appearance after that.

Sources said that if not for the Kashmir statehood issue, minority votes could have also swung the other way by some extent. It may be recalled that voting increased in these areas only in the afternoon after the issue hit the headlines.