District secys press Stalin to expedite organisational polls

Chennai

Several functionaries, who took part in Sunday’s meeting, had urged the DMK chief to resume the party polls, which were suspended due to coronavirus outbreak. A district secretary confirmed the request and revealed that the district bosses felt it was essential to finish the process early to face the general Assembly elections.

“The district secretaries were right in asking for immediate conduct of organisational polls because any such event would create some friction. It will take some time for the newly elected officer-bearers and the displaced to settle, so that the party would be ready to face the elections without much internal bickering,” said a DMK senior, before adding that the leadership was favourably disposed to the request, but it was also wary of the health risks involved.

“Anbazhagan’s demise has prompted the party to go a bit slow on its activities. Even a few enthusiastic and fearless ones have grown wary. Even if we want to conduct the polls, the big question is how. The virus scare has been looming large since a fortnight,” he argued.

“First, a method must be evolved to do it without jeopardising personal safety. Indeed, voting online is an option. But, many have attended a party meeting via video call for the first-time only last month. They had managed the meeting. But, voting online is different. It will be a challenge if they decide to go ahead. We don’t know how the high command will go about it,” reasoned a district secretary.

Even if Stalin obliges, it would not be total because polls in urban pockets, which are worst affected by COVID-19 outbreak would be near impossible, reasoned a party old timer rooting for phased elections.

“Whatever be the decision, it will not be done immediately. The tension should ease. Stalin will take his time. The last thing we want is critics accusing us of jeopardising cadre safety and that too after Anbazhagan’s death,” the senior added.