DMK’s big organisational reset: Age caps, two-term limit and 110 districts

The DMK is planning a major organisational overhaul after its electoral setback, with the party leadership putting greater emphasis on younger leaders, fixed age limits and term restrictions for key organisational posts.

The party's executive committee passed a resolution on Saturday to restructure its organisation, with DMK president MK Stalin chairing the meeting at Anna Arivalayam, the party headquarters.

DMK to expand organisational districts

Under the proposed restructuring, the number of organisational districts will increase from 78 to 110. Each district will broadly cover two Assembly constituencies, with the aim of creating a more localised organisational structure.

The party will also abolish the post of city secretary in major urban centres such as Coimbatore and Tambaram. Urban zones will instead be reorganised based on voter density.

Chennai Corporation Area Committees will have an average of 40,000 voters, while committees in other corporations will average 30,000 voters.

Once Stalin releases the boundary maps for the 110 districts, district executive committees will have to meet within 15 days under the supervision of the party headquarters.

Age caps, two-term limit for posts

The restructuring also introduces age restrictions and a maximum of two terms for several party positions.

The maximum age for a Branch Committee Secretary has been fixed at 45 years, while a person holding the position can serve for only two terms.

Similarly, Municipal, City and Town Panchayat Ward Committee Secretaries will have an upper age limit of 50 years and a two-term cap.

The maximum age for a Town Panchayat Committee Secretary has been set at 60 years, again with a two-term limit.

Branch Committees will also be established in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli and Salem corporations, as well as in other corporations wherever required.

Stalin calls defeat an opportunity

Addressing the meeting, Stalin said the party's electoral defeat should be treated as an opportunity to reassess and prepare for the future.

"Let us consider this as an opportunity we have been given to plan the future of the party. This is going to be a very important Executive Committee meeting in the history of the party. With your approval, we are going to make major and significant changes to the organisational structure of the party," Stalin was quoted as saying by ANI.

Stalin also acknowledged shortcomings among party office-bearers and said the organisation needed a broader self-assessment rather than simply replacing individuals.

"Even if the mistake is committed by an individual, it is the 75-year-old party that suffers because of it. After a defeat, many reasons are put forward. Instead of examining each constituency individually, identifying shortcomings and simply replacing people, I decided that we need to undertake a comprehensive self-assessment," he said.