DMK to meet and discuss Lok Sabha election debacle today

Chennai: The crucial high-level strategy committee of the DMK, called to deliberate on the causes that led to the party’s rout in the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls, is meeting today. DMK president M Karunanidhi is chairing the meeting, which is being attended by General Secretary K Anbazhagan, Treasurer M K Stalin, leaders including Rajya Sabha MP K Kanimozhi, district secretaries and functionaries of the party. The meeting being held on the eve of the party chief Karunanidhi’s 90th birthday, besides enumerating the factors for its poll debacle will be also be mapping out its strategy to rejuvenate the party, boost the sagging morale of its cadres and strategy for the Assembly polls that are exactly two years away from now. Sources said party was likely to go in for a major overhaul by changing leaders in some districts, where DMK candidates performed very poorly. [caption id=“attachment_263799” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] DMK chief M Karunanidhi. Reuters[/caption] Karunanidhi yesterday called upon partymen to introspect the dismal show in the Lok Sabha polls. “Party workers should use the poll results to sharpen and equip themselves better by self-introspection. See where you are, what you are doing and (understand) its consequences, realise that the words and deeds should be in consonance with the party ideals” Karunanidhi had said. DMK, which contested all the 39 seats along with its allies - Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Puthiya Thamizhagam, IUML and Manidhaneya Makkal Katchi, drew a blank and its candidates faced the ignominy of being pushed to third and fourth places in several constituencies. The meeting was likely to discuss certain developments that battered the party ahead of the polls including the expulsion of its South Zone Organising Secretary and Karunanidhi’s elder son M K Alagiri and his outbursts against the party in the run up to the elections calling for defeat for DMK nominees. DMK had faced similar defeat in Tamil Nadu in 1998 during which it could not net a single seat. The conclave is also likely to discuss the issue of the party dumping its major ally Congress in the just-concluded polls. PTI