AIADMK gearing up to face challenging times

Leadership is aware of the need for building on the organisational network

The results of the rural local bodies elections in nine districts have not come as a huge surprise to the AIADMK, which is gradually coming to terms with the reality after losing power five months ago.

The local bodies elections invariably go in favour of the party in power, says a senior leader, who is in charge of one of the key northern districts. But the leadership, he says, is conscious of the party’s basic strength — an extensive organisational network — and aware of the need for building on the strength so that the party can bounce back in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Many others hold a similar view.

However, the functionaries concede that the party’s strength needs to be maintained at a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Naam Tamilar Katchi, the Pattali Makkal Katchi and the Makkal Needhi Maiam are keen on expanding their vote base, making use of the opportunity presented by the Assembly election verdict. “These parties sense that the vote base of the AIADMK, which is bereft of any charismatic leader, should be vulnerable to erosion now. In such circumstances, it is challenging to keep the party going and sustain our base,” says another leader from a western district.