DMK must gear up post Selvam’s exit to stop BJP overtures

It appears the ruling BJP has elaborate plans to incapacitate Stalin’s DMK. The saffron party, understandably, has targeted disgruntled elected representatives and functionaries who feel ‘overshadowed’ by the rise of influential youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin. Unsurprisingly, a seasoned DMK did not waste time in identifying the chinks in its armour. If information trickling out of Anna Arivalayam were something to go by, the state unit of BJP might have cast the net to woo half a dozen DMK MLAs, like Selvam.

A DMK insider revealed that a MLA each in Tiruvallur and western region has already been contacted by the BJP negotiators. The biggest shock to the DMK high command, which got into damage control mode after Selvam’s ‘exit’, was an attempt the BJP had made a few months ago to lure an erstwhile resourceful district secretary from Delta who was recently elevated to a state-level post.

A former union minister of BJP was understood to have held direct negotiations with the ex-DMK minister who was cribbing over the high command clipping his wings to elevate the junior in his home turf. Party sources revealed, that he had briefly engaged the negotiator before spurning the national party. Another high-profile DMK leader targeted by the saffron camp was a businessman-politician from Chennai who was even subjected to a couple of raids by vigilance watchdogs. The articulate and spiritual leader, who had even held positions in UPA regime was still being contacted.

Tiruchendur MLA was also understood to have been contacted by the BJP. His disaffection, insiders say, was fueled by rumoured elevation of youth wing organizer Jeol as secretary. Significantly, Anitha Radhakrishnan on Thursday made an announcement denying the rumours and also threatened to seek legal remedy. Party sources in the know disclosed that the turnaround happened in Thoothukudi after the high command got into damage control mode.

“BJP is targeting those DMK functionaries who feel sidelined by Udhayanidhi. Such functionaries are identified for them by VP Duraisamy who is BJP state vice president now. He is preparing the hit list for Murugan (TN BJP chief). We have learnt that BJP high command has given them full freedom to weaken our party. We will not cowed down,” remarked a DMK functionary.

“There was a simmering discontent for some time now...There is a general perception that the coterie around Udhayanidhi was contributing to the unrest. ..Nonetheless, leadership should send a confidence building message. It is good to hear that some scrutiny is happening in Arivalayam since Wednesday,” said a DMK senior.

Another surprise element of the ‘discussion’ was the participation of DMK women’s wing secretary Kanimozhi.