DMK overhauls district leadership with age cap, forcing 22 regional leaders out

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam will impose a three-term cap and a 70-year age ceiling for district secretaries, forcing at least 22 incumbent regional power-brokers—including former ministers and a former assembly speaker—out of organisational roles they have held for years.

The party's high-level executive committee approved the overhaul Saturday after recommendations by a revamp committee led by former minister Thangam Thennarasu. Party president and former chief minister M.K. Stalin told office-bearers the changes follow the DMK's recent assembly election defeat, attributing part of the loss to the performance of its functionaries.

55 new district secretaries expected

Twenty-two of the existing 77 district secretaries cannot continue or contest elections under the new criteria. The party will also expand from 77 to 110 district units, creating 33 additional posts. Combined, the restructuring is expected to install 55 new district secretaries—effectively replacing half the current roster.

Among those eliminated by the eligibility rules are former ministers K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, Anitha Radhakrishnan, P. Moorthy, S. Muthusamy, T.M. Anbarasan, M.R.K. Panneerselvam, K.R. Periyakaruppan and S. Regupathy, as well as former speaker R. Avudaiappan and sitting Tiruvarur MLA Poondi S. Kalaivanan.

Youth and women to gain ground

Stalin said the new rules aim to infuse fresh blood into the organisation and open more opportunities for youth and women. The party plans to announce a membership drive at its annual Mupperum Vizha in September, followed by elections at district and other levels, culminating in the appointment of state-level office-bearers.

The revamp marks one of the most significant organisational shake-ups for the principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu, targeting entrenched regional leaders who have controlled district machinery across multiple election cycles.

Source: The Hindu