CHENNAI: The crucial meeting of the district secretaries of the DMK witnessed many views and counter views and the concluding remarks of party president M Karunanidhi on a pacifying note. Alliance strategies, existing situation, etc., were discussed at the meeting. Some of the district secretaries were of the view that the DMK should contest at least 160 seats unlike the 2011 elections when the DMK contesting only in 119 and faced defeat.
In his speech, party treasurer MK Stalin reportedly indicated that failure on the part of district secretaries to ensure victory in at least a few seats in each district would be viewed seriously by the party. Referring to this, Karunanidhi, in his concluding remarks, turned the tables on Stalin by saying that “Stalin had made those remarks only to enhance the enthusiasm of the district secretaries and not to intimidate them. Indeed, the target for victory includes Stalin too.” Karunanidhi further said Stalin had set the ‘victory target’ only with an expectation that it would kindle competition among the secretaries to ‘exceed’ the target.
“But the district secretaries should understand that the victory in this election would pave the way for many more victories in the coming years. So you should take Stalin’s view as a challenge,” he added. “The secretaries should ensure victory in at least two seats in smaller districts and four or five seats in bigger districts so that their winning spree can become a counter challenge to Stalin,” he said. Referring to the Dravidar Kazhagam conference at Tiruchy, he said, “We should not encourage casteism. If we encourage it, it will destroy us. I am sure I will meet you all as winners after elections.”
All the 65 party district secretaries, party general secretary K Anbazhagan, principal secretary Durai Murugan and senior leaders attended the meeting. Sources said the speakers were ‘instructed’ not to criticise the DMDK in their speech.