Chennai: DMK leadership is considering a plan to increase the number of district units from the present 78 to over 100. The proposal is likelybe discussed at the forthcoming executive committee meeting scheduled for Aug 22.The move would facilitate better administration of party units while creation of new posts for the additional district units would enable the party to give leadership positions to more functionaries. The party is also likely to drop underperforming functionaries, including district secretaries.DMK general secretary Duraimurugan and frontline leaders Udhayanidhi Stalin, Kanimozhi and T R Baalu met DMK president M K Stalin at his residence on Thursday to discuss the plans, based on the suggestions put forth by the 10-member advisory committee formed to suggest measures for strengthening the party.“Increasing the number of district units from 78 to over 100, giving party postings at district level to more youngsters and women, and creating state-level positions for veteran politicians who joined DMK from other parties were among the suggestions discussed,” said a senior functionary privy to the developments. One of the key leaders who joined DMK, but was yet to be given a senior position was O Panneerselvam.Stalin, who was unhappy with the performance of some senior functionaries and district secretaries, is likely to crack whip on them. “Some of them could be moved to less significant positions, limiting their involvement and influence in the party,” said a DMK leader.DMK organisational secretary R S Bharathi said the leadership would take a final call on restructuring the party units after detailed deliberations on the advisory committee’s suggestions at the executive committee meeting.“Increasing the number of district units is one of the key suggestions made by the advisory committee. At present, each district unit covers three to five constituencies,” he said.
