TAMIL NADU, (India): In a major post-election course correction exercise after the DMK’s crushing defeat in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, former Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin on Saturday (May 16) announced the formation of a 38-member committee to conduct an extensive constituency-wise review across the state.
The move comes as the DMK grapples with one of its most serious political setbacks in recent years after being reduced to just 59 seats in the 2026 Assembly election, paving the way for Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam to storm to power.
Panel members to visit all 234 constituencies
Stalin said the newly constituted panel would travel across all 234 Assembly constituencies as representatives of the party headquarters to assess the mood at the grassroots level and gather candid feedback from party workers and local functionaries.
Addressing the committee members, Stalin stressed that the exercise must be conducted with honesty and neutrality, warning against favouritism or personal vendetta.
He told the members that they were being sent as his direct representatives and must function as “his ears” on the ground, listening carefully to the truth spoken by cadres and reporting it without alteration.
‘Even criticism against me must be recorded’
The DMK chief instructed the panel not to suppress criticism, even if it was directed at him personally.
Stalin said party workers should be allowed to express grievances freely during the review meetings and that every concern raised must be documented faithfully in the final report.
He directed the committee to conduct meetings in teams of two and ensure that workers feel secure enough to speak openly without fear of repercussions.
Drawing a comparison to medical diagnosis, Stalin remarked that problems within the party could only be fixed if they were identified honestly and without concealment.
Reports due by June 5, reforms planned by month-end
The DMK president said all findings from the statewide assessment must be submitted by June 5. Based on those reports, the party leadership would initiate corrective measures and organisational reforms before the end of June.
He also instructed members to maintain strict confidentiality regarding the views shared by cadres, saying any leak of internal discussions would undermine the credibility and purpose of the exercise.
The review comes in the aftermath of a dramatic shift in Tamil Nadu politics. Riding on actor-turned-politician Vijay’s popularity wave, TVK emerged as the biggest force in the state, winning 108 seats and forming the government with support from Congress, CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML.
The election also delivered a personal setback to Stalin, who lost the Kolathur constituency to TVK candidate VS Babu by 8,795 votes. - The Statesman/ANN
