AIADMK plans to hold extensive, district-wise consultations shortly

The AIADMK, whose performance during the Assembly elections was the worst in its electoral history of over 50 years, is planning to hold extensive and district-wise consultations with its office-bearers and members shortly.

Disclosing this, a few senior functionaries say the proposed interactions will be scheduled in such a manner that the party’s participation in the Assembly session is not disturbed. As Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is to deliver his address to the House on June 18, and the Assembly will normally meet for five days, the party’s interactions may take place after the session.

Even though it is not known whether the proposed consultations will be on the lines that former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had about 20 years ago, where party members were encouraged to give their feedback freely, the feeling among admirers and supporters of the party is that the leadership should have a frank exchange of views with participants.

Objective analysis

Reasons for the poor performance, including continued below-par showing in some parts of the State, should be analysed objectively. Such an exercise will be helpful for the party, which has to face not only byelections to five Assembly constituencies but also local bodies’ polls in eight months, says a researcher of the party.

A perusal of the performance of the party in the Assembly elections reveals that apart from winning in 47 constituencies, the organisation was runner-up in 44 seats and finished third in 81 places. Of the Assembly constituencies where it came second, the party’s vote share was at least 30% in 28.

Likewise, in 32 out of 81 seats where it finished third, it secured 25% and more. Among the 60 such constituencies were Kancheepuram, Katpadi, Vandavasi, Kallakurichi, Veppanahalli, Udumalpet, Thuryaiyur, Poompuhar, Sholavandan, and Srivaikuntam. The party can, initially, devote its resources and energy towards strengthening the party in these areas before taking up others, points out the researcher.

While the party can take solace that the highest margin of victory was registered by party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, what should not be glossed over is that the party’s vote share in contested seats was 40.48% in 2021, and this has now come down to 28.7%. Five years ago, the party contested in 191 seats whereas this time, the number was 172. The researcher adds that the party, which is still strong in many districts of the State, should make use of the current opportunity for re-establishing itself as a principal force.