DMK faces problems from within

Published Date: 15/4/2009 - (NIE)

G Saravanan

Chennai, April 14: WITH the campaign for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections now shifting to next gear all across the State, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) seems to be facing difficult times in North Chennai constituency where its organising secretary T K S Elangovan is taking on CPI State secretary D Pandian.

The problems of the DMK are multiple in nature — its own inner-party rivalry between Fisheries Minister K P P Samy and Tiruvallur district secretary EAP Shivaji as well as non-cooperation from a section of the Congress party. Both the DMK heavyweights’ differences came to the fore during election workers meet organised by the party in Thiruvotriyur on April 13, where Samy and Shivaji preferred to keep a ‘healthy distance.’

On the other hand, the Congress party also held its poll workers meet close to the DMK’s venue on the same day. Minister Samy attended the Congress meet, before arriving at the DMK’s meet which was held later in the evening. Sources said the tone of Congress workers shocked Samy and North Chennai candidate T K S Elangovan.

One of the influential Congress leaders from Thiruvallur district reportedly blasted DMK leaders for not giving them the due importance during the past three years and that the party approaches Congress leaders only during elections with an eye on votes.

Sources further said many Congress workers have openly expressed their displeasure over the treatment meted out by DMK men in Thiruvotriyur area and vowed to take a ‘different line’ during the ensuing Lok Sabha polls.

Tumbled over the remarks by Congress poll workers in the meet, which was solely organised to ‘motivate’ them to work hard for the DMK candidate, Samy pacified them saying that their grievances would be sorted out and asked them to work for the victory of the DMK candidate