DMK President MK Stalin on Friday directed some office-bearers of his party, who violated the terms of the alliance pact, to resign from their posts immediately. Some members of the DMK contested indirect elections for the posts allotted to allies and won. Mr Stalin also expressed regret to the leaders of the allies over the development.
Mr. Stalin warned such office-bearers that if they did not resign immediately, they would be deprived of the primary membership of the party. He also directed the district secretaries and leaders in-charge to take necessary action.
“Those of you who contested on DMK’s symbol in indirect elections and defame the party, should immediately resign from these posts,” he said. After that, come and meet me,” said Mr. Stalin.
Mr Stalin’s instructions came on Friday evening after leaders of allies expressed displeasure over the matter. “I express my regret to the leaders of the secular Progressive Alliance. I am absolutely clear that the solidarity shown by our alliance and the love that we have won from the people does not suffer in no time.
He said that the victory of the alliance should have brought him immense happiness; Instead, he felt guilty and became frustrated. “These people think that they have achieved something through these actions, but as the party president, I feel disappointed and guilty.”
Separately, DMK general secretary Duraimurugan announced that in Poonamallee, DMK functionary M. Ravi Kumar was being suspended from the party for indulging in anti-party activities.
Earlier in the day, Viduthalai Chiruthigal Katchi’s founder Thol. Thirumavalavan requested Chief Minister MK Stalin to ask DMK candidates to resign from the winning candidates for the posts allotted to allies. He wrote on Twitter that these candidates had contested the elections in violation of Stalin’s instructions. The chief minister should ask him to resign and defend the principles of the alliance.
To VCK, DMK allotted the post of Deputy Mayor of Cuddalore Corporation. The party also got the post of president of two municipalities, vice-president of two other municipalities and president and vice-president of three and seven nagar panchayats respectively.
CPI(M) state general secretary K. Balakrishnan said the DMK councilors went against the agreement between the allies and won many places with the help of alliance partners and opposition parties. Because of this, the candidates of the alliance partners had to face defeat. In fact, the party had lost in all the seats allotted to the CPI(M) in municipalities and nagar panchayats,” he said.
Mr Balakrishnan said it was unacceptable that some, with the help of opposition parties and in pursuit of power, trampled the agreement. “This is not an example of good politics,” he said.