Chennai, Aug 10:
Elevating the AIADMK legislators who had quit their posts and joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to senior positions in the party, the TVK president and Chief Minister Vijay has rehabilitated them politically to utilise their organisational skills well ahead of the next assembly and ensuing local body bypolls.
Former AIADMK ministers, MR Vijayabhaskar of Karur and C Vijayabhaskar of Pudukottai, as well as Esakki Subbaiah and Maragatham Kumaravel, who were sulking for more than a month after switching over to the TVK by resigning as legislators, have been accommodated in the TVK hierarchy.
In a media release late Saturday, the TVK announced appointing MR Vaijayabhaskar, the Karur strongman, as deputy general secretary and Karur district secretary (organisation), while C Vijayabhaskar, who had quit as Viralimalai MLA, is district secretary (organisation). Initially, both expected to be accommodated in the Vijay ministry, but the Left Parties, extending outside support to the government put the spokes warning against any such move since the duo face many corruption cases. This forced the TVK to back off but it failed to deter an exodus from the AIADMK.
Former legislator, Maragatham Kumaravel, elected from Madurantakam to the assembly, has been made deputy general secretary, the second woman in the party’s top hierarchy. She was among the early birds to jump ship within weeks after being elected. Further, Easakki Subbiah is appointed district secretary (organization) Tenkasi.
This comes close on the heels of the TVK inducting former CPI state assistant secretary C Mahendran, ex-AIADMK leader V Pughazhendhi, Jawahar Ali, and a few others as spokespersons of the party to strengthen its media outreach.
Even though the Madras High Court has extended the ban on the EC to announce the bypoll for five constituencies (total seven vacancies), the elections would be held once the case is disposed of.
The new inductions are expected to bolster the organisation and public outreach as the TVK is very keen on the bypoll which could provide it the much required majority in the House.