DMK shifts Lok Sabha campaign to the fast lane, flags off manifesto panel’s state tour for a clean sweep

The Election Supervision and Coordination Committee has been holding crucial meetings with ministers from various LS constituencies.

BySouth First Desk

Published Feb 05, 2024 | 8:25 PMUpdatedFeb 05, 2024 | 8:36 PM

Tamil Nadu Sports Ministry Udhayanidhi Stalin speaking to representatives of Puducherry Lok Sabha constituency. (X)

The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu has intensified its campaign ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections to be held in April-May, with its three committees actively performing their assigned duties: Coordinating poll-related activities, preparing the manifesto, and holding seat-sharing talks with alliance partners.

The manifesto preparation committee led by MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi embarked on a state tour on Monday, 5 February, seeking suggestions from the people.

Since 27 January, the Parliamentary Election Supervision and Coordination Committee, led by state Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, has been holding meetings with ministers from various Lok Sabha constituencies in the state to assess and enhance the party’s preparedness.

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Election coordination committee

The committee has been meeting with ministers, district corporation secretaries, legislative members, union and area representatives, city administrators, mayors, and other local body representatives to review election-related work in various Lok Sabha constituencies.

Of the 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state, the committee has met with representatives from Kancheepuram, Dindigul, Karur, Tiruchy, Central Chennai, North Chennai, South Chennai, Perambalur, Aarani, Tiruvannamalai, Kallakurichi, Viluppuram, Arakkonam, Vellore, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Chidambaram, Cuddalore, Madurai, Theni, Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Sivagangai, Dharmapuri, Pollachi, Erode, Namakkal, Tirupur, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, and Salem.

The committee also met with the representatives from the Puducherry Lok Sabha constituency, comprising the entire Union Territory (UT) of Puducherry

On Sunday, party president and Chief Minister MK Stalin, who is currently in Spain to attract investments to the state, held a video conference with the coordination committee, praising its efforts in meeting administrators from nearly 40 constituencies.

Besides Udhayanidhi Stalin, the five-member comprises KN Nehru, senior leader RS Bharati, and Ministers EV Velu, and Thangam Thennarasu.

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Manifesto committee’s tour

Tasked with the duty of preparing the DMK’s manifesto, the manifesto preparation committee is actively seeking public opinion.

The committee commenced its state tour on Monday covering key cities such as Kanniyakumari, Madurai, Thanjavur, Salem, Coimbatore, Tirupur, Hosur, Vellore, Aarani, Viluppuram.

The committee visited Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar, and Ramanathapuram districts on Monday.

The panel sought suggestions from farmers, fishermen, household heads, educators, entrepreneurs, ecologists, doctors, students, volunteers, and government and private sector employees, Kanimozhi said on X.

Kanimozhi called for “suggestions” for upcoming parliamentary elections, providing an email address, dedicated number, and social media handles for people to reach out to the manifesto committee.

Ten members, including Ministers Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, TRB Rajaa, and Chennai Mayor R Priya, are part of the manifesto committee.

Stalin pointed out that the committee aimed to gather opinions from diverse sections of society.

The DMK has set ambitious goals, urging its cadres to secure victories in all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu and the lone seat in Puducherry. The party is building on its success in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, in which the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance won 38 out of 39 seats, losing only in Theni.

Also Read: DMK names TR Baalu as head of panel to hold Lok Sabha polls seat-sharing talks with allies

Lok Sabha election preparation

On 19 January, the DMK announced a committee headed by senior leader TR Baalu to hold seat-sharing talks with alliance partners, including the Congress, for the Lok Sabha polls.

The DMK’s allies include the Congress, the Left parties, MDMK, and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).