Chennai
The ruling AIADMK is facing ageing issues as most of its leaders -- Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami (65), party convener and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (68), presidium chairman E Madhusudhanan and regional satraps K A Sengottaaiyan and R Vaithilingam are in the age bracket of 64 to 71 years.
The second-tier leaders comprising state ministers, district secretaries and top women office-bearers are in their late 50s and early 60s. The face of party’s women’s wing B Valarmathi is 61 years. Another prominent woman leader Gokula Indira is 53 years.
According to party insiders, most of the senior functionaries are having health issues. “Except Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar most of them are aged,” said a party leader.
Sensing that party needs young blood and young leaders, Amma created Paasarai and posted functionaries to evolve as future leaders. The Paasarai units formed by late Amma to mould young cadre is almost defunct and the crowd that swells at the party headquarters during the days of Amma and Thalaivar (MGR) is now absent, admit party insiders.
“It is a fact that there are no young leaders and cadre moving towards the AIADMK. MGR and Amma brought in cadre and young leaders. Such a magnetic leader is missing now,” said Poonganagar Selvam, joint secretary, North Chennai MGR Mandram.
Only the MLAs and state ministers in the current scenario are benefitting unlike in the days of Amma and MGR. Grassroot workers and functionaries had hope that they would reach the heights in the party. This hope is now decimated by the ministers affiliated to western Tamil Nadu, Selvam alleged.
“The worst part is that even the DMK MLAs are benefitting from this regime. Only when you encourage the party workers with posts and government schemes that the party grows. Further there are ministers having more than one party post. There are ministers holding district secretary posts and party headquarters posts, he rued, adding that there is no drive to enrol youngsters into the party”.
When contacted, party presidium chairman E Madhusudhanan denied that there is a dearth for secondary-level leaders due to ageing. “The Youth Wing formed during the days of MGR is now administering the party and the functionaries enrolled during the Amma days are spearheading field works. This is a massive organisation with cadre and leaders,” he said.
When asked about the DMK’s Youth Wing enrolment led by Udayanithi Stalin, Madhusdhanan said every party needs young blood. “There are plans to attract the youngsters and we will roll out the action plans after the bypoll results of Vikravandi and Nanguneri Assembly seats,” the veteran AIADMK leader since the days of MGR said.
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