After electoral defeat, DMK plans major overhaul to rebuild grassroots network
Chennai: The DMK is set to undertake a major organisational restructuring exercise after the conclusion of the ongoing Tamil Nadu Assembly session, as the party seeks to rebuild its grassroots network and strengthen its electoral machinery following its disappointing performance in the recent Assembly elections.
According to party sources, the reorganisation will focus primarily on Chennai and its neighbouring districts, where the DMK suffered significant setbacks.
The exercise is aimed at improving coordination among party units, enhancing voter outreach and preparing the organisation for the forthcoming local body elections.
As part of the proposed changes, several senior leaders from Chennai, including former Ministers P.K. Sekarbabu, Ma. Subramanian and T.M. Anbarasan, are expected to be given responsibility for larger organisational units covering multiple Assembly constituencies.
The move is intended to streamline administration and ensure more effective supervision of party activities at the grassroots level.
Party insiders said Chennai’s existing organisational structure differs from that of many other districts in the state. While several districts outside Chennai are organised around units comprising two Assembly constituencies, the capital city has a number of comparatively smaller organisational districts.
Under the proposed restructuring, senior leaders in Chennai may be assigned charge of clusters consisting of four Assembly constituencies each, allowing for better coordination and stronger election management.
At present, some district secretaries and senior functionaries in Chennai already oversee five or six constituencies. The party leadership is now examining a revised framework that would clearly define responsibilities and improve organisational efficiency.
The restructuring proposal follows an extensive review initiated by DMK President M.K. Stalin after the Assembly election results.
Committees appointed by the party leadership conducted a statewide assessment to identify the factors that contributed to the electoral setback. Their reports reportedly examined constituency-level challenges, campaign shortcomings, organisational weaknesses and changing voter perceptions.
Sources said the findings highlighted the need for stronger booth-level and constituency-level mechanisms, particularly in urban centres where the party underperformed.
Chennai emerged as one of the most concerning regions for the DMK, with the party suffering several major defeats, including Stalin’s loss in the Kolathur constituency, long regarded as a party stronghold.
Based on the recommendations of the review committees, the DMK leadership is expected to implement the restructuring soon after the Assembly session ends, with the objective of revitalising the party organisation and positioning it for future electoral contests.
