In terms of government appointments, Chief Minister MK Stalin appears to be sympathetic to his party’s allies, as seen by the recent nomination of senior Congress politician Peter Alphonse to head the Tamil Nadu Minority Commission.
There are around 30 positions vacant in various public entities in the State, therefore the government is likely to make additional appointments. While Stalin’s approach is well received by the DMK’s allies, a portion of the party’s members is enraged because their chances have been harmed.
The Newindianexpress, which interviewed Congressmen, said in its article, “Peter Alphonse’s appointment won’t be the last. We expect more Congressmen to get similar posts. Even in the previous DMK regime, the then Chief Minister Karunanidhi appointed Congressmen to the State Planning Commission and the Library Authority Committee. The head of the Palm Products Development Board was also from the Congress.”
Other allies of DMK, such as the MDMK, have indicated that their members expect similar government jobs and that some of their supporters may be appointed vice-chancellors of universities.
On the other hand, a group of DMK heavyweights, who expected government posting, are dissatisfied. A DMK leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said he welcomes the nomination of Pon Kumar of the Tamil Nadu Peasants and Workers Party as head of the Tamil Nadu Construction Employees Welfare Board, according to the Newindianexpress. “He was an ally but was not allocated a seat in the polls and he campaigned for the party well. But Congress already got 25 seats. So why to give them such posts?” he said.
Another DMK leader stated that there are DMK men who have worked for the party for years and should be rewarded. “The allies may abandon us in the next elections,” the leader said. As additional selections are announced in the coming days, the DMK may be able to bargain with its partners in the next local body elections.
(with inputs from NewIndianExpress)
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