DMK is considering a statewide padayatra led by Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin to revive the party after its recent Assembly election defeat, according to party sources.
Senior functionaries said the party lost despite contesting in an alliance with more than 20 parties, and party president M.K. Stalin was defeated in the Chennai Kolathur constituency. Stalin has formed a committee to study the reasons for the setback.
The sources recalled that after DMK lost power in 2011 and failed to secure even the status of the main opposition, Stalin began a statewide tour in September 2015 ahead of the 2016 election. While DMK did not win that election, the party recovered and Stalin’s stature rose to match that of then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
In a similar approach, the leadership is said to be planning an Andhra Pradesh-style padayatra to build Udhayanidhi’s profile. The walk is expected to focus on meeting people, energising cadres and reorganising the party structure, with the plan likely to be rolled out after the peak summer heat subsides.
