CUDDALORE: Taking a cue from the AIADMK and DMK, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) too has embarked on the path of revamping the party machinery by changing block, town and municipality-level functionaries, starting from Cuddalore district, ahead of the local body elections in the State.
In an attempt to rid itself of the caste stigma, the outfit has also decided to include non-Vanniyars in the list of office-bearers.
In line with the decision, all units of the party in the district have been dissolved and a 3-member committee appointed to name new faces to the posts, according to PMK president GK Mani.
Sources in the party said, “The 3-member committee would comprise former Member of Parliament (MP) Dhanraj, PT Arulmozhi and Sivaprakasam, who would visit all the blocks, towns and municipalities in Cuddalore district to identify new faces. On completion of the process here, the exercise will be extended to other districts.”
When asked about the revamping, PMK’s property protection committee president R Govindasamy said, “We have two parameters for appointing new faces. Firstly, selecting people, who are below 30-years and secondly appointing young stars from the non-Vanniyar community to these posts.”
He further said, “In the Assembly election, the caste stigma attached to the party prevented our victory. Many still wrongly see Pattali Makkal Katchi as a party of Vanniyars. That perception has to be changed, to begin with.”
Reiterating the importance to fight the caste stigma attached to the party Govindasamy said,“Subsequently, non-Vanniyars will be made state-level functionaries.”