AIADMK appointing posts all over the state

The AIADMK is on a selection spree all over the state as they are aware of the TTV Dhinakaran influence in several districts in the run-up to the polls. It is filling all posts in party district units that have fallen vacant in the wake of representatives moving to the rebel camp.

In the last three days, about 1,800 functionaries have been appointed in districts like Ramanathapuram, Chennai, Erode, Trichy and Tirunelveli.

"In the coming days, many districts will get new office-bearers for each of the wings. Many officebearers were sacked by the party leadership after Amma's death and after they switched camps. The district secretaries have been insistent that the vacancies be filled as it may impact the party's prospects," said a senior leader.

Moreover, for conducting "anti-party activities" the AIADMK high command sacked 35 members in Coimbatore, Erode and Trichy district. For North Chennai North (East), about 370 office-bearers have been appointed, which includes RK Nagar and Perambur assembly seats. Dhinakaran is representing RK Nagar, while due to the disqualification of his trusted lieutenant MLA P Vetrivel, Perambur is facing a bypoll.

"The ruling camp wants a revamp of the district unit, as many functionaries moved to TTV camp. The appointments are imperative," said another leader. AIADMK split the unit in March 2018 and made RS Rajesh secretary of North Chennai-North (East), after Vetrivel quit. AIADMK has nominated him for the Perambur seat.

Trichy Rural district got 530 new functionaries, including Prince M Thangavel, a former MLA, as presidium chairman. "With posts lying vacant in various wings, it will create problems during elections," said district secretary T Rathinavel. Assembly seats of Thuraiyur, Manachanallur, Perambalur and Karur, under the district unit, will decide the fate of former minister N R Sivapathi (AIADMK).

570 office-bearers were appointed by the party in Tirunelveli Urban district unit, in in the wake of former district secretary Popular V Muthiah joining TTV. Senior leader P H Manoj Pandian is AIADMK candidate for Tiruneveli Lok Sabha seat.