Synopsis
The DMK has appointed C.V.M.P. Ezhilarasan as the new Propaganda Secretary, replacing him from his role in the students' wing, as part of preparations for the 2026 Assembly elections. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin emphasizes strengthening the party through strategic restructuring and full-time workers across constituencies, setting an ambitious target of winning 200 seats.Key Takeaways
- C.V.M.P. Ezhilarasan appointed as Propaganda Secretary.
- DMK aims to win 200 out of 234 seats in 2026.
- Full-time workers assigned to all Assembly constituencies.
- Ministers designated for district oversight.
- Election strategy led by senior leaders including Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Chennai, March 12 (NationPress) The ruling party of Tamil Nadu, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), has appointed C.V.M.P. Ezhilarasan as its new Propaganda Secretary, succeeding him from his former position as the secretary of the students' wing. This announcement was made by the party's General Secretary and state Water Resources Minister S. Duraimurugan on Wednesday.
This change is part of the DMK's strategic restructuring as it ramps up efforts for the 2026 Assembly elections. In conjunction with this, R. Rajiv Gandhi has stepped down from his role as President of the DMK students’ wing and has been appointed as its secretary.
Party President and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has recently defended the establishment of new district units and fresh organizational roles, asserting that these actions aim to bolster the party's strength ahead of the upcoming elections.
To enhance election readiness, the DMK has implemented crucial strategies, including the assignment of full-time workers across all 234 Assembly constituencies. A significant number of these in-charges were selected based on their performance during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the DMK-led INDIA bloc achieved a significant victory, securing all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu and the single seat in Puducherry.
The full-time in-charges are not residents of the constituencies they manage, ensuring objectivity and dedicated performance. They are mandated to submit weekly reports to the state party headquarters, outlining constituency advancements and pinpointing areas needing improvement.
To reinforce oversight, the DMK has designated ministers to be in charge of each district. These ministers will collaborate closely with the full-time in-charges to assess performance and assist in implementing state government initiatives and programs.
Chief Minister Stalin is actively monitoring the performance of ministers and constituency in-charges, having set a bold target of winning 200 out of 234 seats in the 2026 elections. Currently, the DMK holds 133 seats in the Assembly.
The party’s election strategy is orchestrated by a core team of senior leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister and youth wing leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, along with Ministers Thangam Thenarasu and E.V. Velu, and DMK Organisation Secretary R.S. Bharathi.
Udhayanidhi Stalin is managing daily operations to ensure the effective execution of the party’s strategy. During a recent meeting at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, he expressed criticism towards certain party leaders for their underperformance during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, despite being assigned specific duties.
Bharathi, a member of the core committee for candidate selection, reaffirmed that the party’s machinery is fully operational to meet its 2026 election goals.
"Our leader, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has set an objective of securing 200 Assembly seats in the upcoming elections. The entire party, from senior leaders to full-time workers, is dedicated to achieving this aim," he stated. With its organizational restructuring, constituency monitoring, and strategic leadership, the DMK is preparing for one of its most critical electoral contests in 2026.
