Bhubaneswar: In a strategic move to reconnect with the public and gather crucial insights, the election manifesto committee of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu, is set to tour the state from February 5 to 10. The committee, comprising senior party leaders, aims to elicit the views and opinions of the people as part of its preparation for the upcoming 2024 general elections, the dates of which are yet to be announced.
The 10-member committee includes prominent leaders such as Natham R. Viswanathan, C. Ponnaiyan, Pollachi V. Jayaraman, D. Jayakumar, C.Ve. Shanmugam, S. Semmalai, B. Valarmathi, O.S. Manian, R.B. Udhayakumar, and Vaigaichelvan. This diverse team is tasked with gathering inputs from all 38 districts of Tamil Nadu, which are categorized into nine zones.
The committee’s six-day tour will be divided into visits to different zones on specific dates. AIADMK general secretary and opposition leader of Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), has urged party cadre to facilitate meetings between the committee and various sections of society. The committee will engage with farmers, weavers, fishermen, government officials, teachers, those in unorganized sectors, women, students, industrialists, entrepreneurs, and other segments of the population.
In a statement released on Friday, EPS emphasized the importance of public participation in shaping the party’s manifesto. He called upon the people to express their needs and expectations from both the Members of Parliament and the Central government. The committee aims to address a wide array of concerns and expectations raised by different sections of society.
The tour schedule breakdown is as follows:
- February 5: Inputs from Chennai and Vellore Zones
- February 6: Inputs from Villupuram and Salem Zones
- February 7: Inputs from Thanjavur and Tiruchi Zones
- February 8: Inputs from Coimbatore Zone
- February 9: Visit to Madurai Zone
- February 10: Visit to Tirunelveli Zone
AIADMK has faced electoral setbacks since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In 2019, the party won only one out of the 39 seats, and in the 2021 assembly elections, it lost power to the DMK. The current initiative signifies AIADMK’s commitment to reconnecting with the public, understanding their concerns, and developing a responsive and inclusive manifesto for the 2024 general elections. The success of this outreach effort could play a pivotal role in determining the party’s electoral fortunes in the upcoming political landscape.
