Behind The News is your round up of musings from the corridors of power. DMK sources revealed that there has been growing friction in the party against General Secretary Duraimurugan, and efforts are being made to gradually sideline him.
Published Jun 25, 2025 | 11:17 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 25, 2025 | 11:34 AM
DMK leaders, including Chief Minister MK Stalin, at the newly allotted office space of K Kanimozhi.
Synopsis: The allotment of a separate office space for K Kanimozhi in the DMK headquarters has sparked speculations regarding a possible leadership shuffle in the party.
In Tamil Nadu’s ruling party, the DMK, significant leadership-level changes are expected soon.
Recently, DMK Deputy General Secretary and Parliamentary Committee Chairperson Kanimozhi Karunanidhi was allotted a new office room inside the party headquarters, Arivalayam. This development has drawn attention, especially since there had been demands from within the party for office space within Arivalayam for the women’s wing and other affiliated units for a long time.
Until now, only Chief Minister and party President MK Stalin, and General Secretary Duraimurugan had individual office rooms inside Arivalayam. All other leaders, regardless of designation, were expected to function from shared spaces.
Even though the party has five Deputy General Secretaries, only Kanimozhi has been provided with a dedicated room — a decision that has stirred internal debate.
Among the five Deputy General Secretaries, the senior-most is I Periyasamy, followed by Tiruchi Siva, A Raja, and Anniyur Selvaraj. Despite their seniority, all of them have continued to operate out of a common room. DMK circles are rife with discussions regarding the allotment of the exclusive office space for Kanimozhi.
Even though Udhayanidhi Stalin — who heads the DMK youth wing and is seen as a political rival to Kanimozhi within the party — has a separate office named Anbagam on Anna Salai, close to Arivalayam, he does not have a space inside the main headquarters building.
DMK sources revealed that there has been growing friction in the party against General Secretary Duraimurugan, and efforts are being made to gradually sideline him. At the recent DMK General Council meeting held in Madurai, there were deliberations on appointing Udhayanidhi as a Deputy General Secretary — a move reportedly blocked by Duraimurugan.
Against this backdrop, there is a growing speculation that the leadership may soon effect a reshuffle: Duraimurugan could be removed from the General Secretary post, with TR Baalu replacing him, and Kanimozhi may be elevated to the Treasurer’s post. Udhayanidhi, who missed out earlier, is likely to be made Deputy General Secretary.
These leadership changes are expected to be announced during the DMK’s major event on 17 September, which marks the birth anniversaries of the party’s founder CN Annadurai, DMK’s ideological leader Thanthai Periyar and the DMK’s foundation day.
The DMK Treasurer’s post has historically been held by prominent figures, including former chief minister M Karunanidhi and current Chief Minister Stalin. The possibility of another member from the Karunanidhi family being appointed to this role has created a political buzz.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
