Chennai: The DMK leadership has formed a 36-member field research team to study the party’s defeat in the Assembly election. The team is visiting constituencies and holding separate discussions with district functionaries, candidates and local-level office-bearers.
According to party sources, several cadres contrasted the current leadership style with that of late leader M Karunanidhi. They said Karunanidhi would regularly visit the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, and directly hear grievances from functionaries, including those who faced local political opposition.
Cadres alleged that after Stalin became Chief Minister, his visits to the headquarters were not regular, and meetings were largely limited to senior leaders such as ministers and district secretaries. They claimed access was controlled and that feedback from the district-to-branch level was not adequately heard.
They also complained that small local contracts and recommendations for works—earlier routed through local party functionaries—were not available to them during the recent tenure. Some alleged that such opportunities went to those recommended by Stalin’s son-in-law, Sabareesan.
The sources said cadres further expressed resentment over being made to wait to meet ministers and district secretaries even for personal invitations, and claimed this frustration influenced voting behaviour within some DMK families. Many concluded that Stalin and Sabareesan should correct course, holding them responsible for the defeat.
