The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) initiated a crucial phase of its election preparations on Friday by commencing interviews for the multitude of aspirants seeking the party's nomination for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections. The process, which saw an overwhelming response, marks a significant step in the party's strategy to finalize its candidates.
Leadership Panel Grills Aspirants on Contributions and Prospects
The interviews were conducted by a high-powered panel led by the party's general secretary, Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS). He was joined by key leaders including deputy general secretary K P Munusamy, treasurer Dindigul C Srinivasan, and headquarters secretary S P Velumani. On the inaugural day, the committee focused on aspirants from constituencies across 16 district units. These included Salem, Erode, Karur, Dindigul, Namakkal, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, and The Nilgiris districts.
The scale of the exercise is monumental, with the party receiving applications from over 7,000 functionaries vying for tickets. During the interviews, aspirants were rigorously questioned on two primary fronts: their past contributions and service to the party within their respective assembly segments, and an assessment of their potential to win the seat for the AIADMK.
EPS Warns Against False Promises, Stresses Loyalty
General Secretary EPS took the opportunity to counsel the hopefuls, advising them to remain cautious. He specifically warned them not to fall prey to the false claims of dubious elements who might attempt to deceive them with promises of securing a party ticket in exchange for favors or money. EPS emphasized that the party's administrative committee itself is tasked with the transparent process of interviewing and identifying the most loyal and hardworking functionaries, who will ultimately be fielded in the assembly polls.
This clear directive aims to streamline the selection process and prevent any internal confusion or malpractice ahead of the critical elections.
Manifesto Committee Embarks on State-Wide Consultations
Parallel to the candidate selection drive, the AIADMK's manifesto committee has also sprung into action. Headed by senior functionary Natham R Viswanathan, the committee has commenced a state-wide tour. The objective of this tour is to meet representatives from various sections of society to directly hear their views, grievances, and suggestions. This grassroots feedback will form the foundational input for drafting the party's election manifesto, which is a key document outlining its promises and vision for the state.
The simultaneous progress on both candidate selection and manifesto preparation indicates a structured and multi-pronged approach by the principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu as it gears up for a high-stakes electoral battle. The interviews are expected to continue in the coming days to cover all districts and the massive pool of applicants.
