Even as political parties in the State have started devising their strategies to face the upcoming Parliamentary elections, the bustle has picked up in the ruling AIADMK too. Party bigwigs are arranging excursions for the middle-level functionaries and grassroot workers. The ‘unexpected’ offer is seen by party cadre as an effort to keep the flock in good mood and intact.

Tiruchy MP P Kumar and his supporters in Parliament on Wednesday

Thiruchirapalli:

Leading the drive to arrange ‘joy trips’ is Health Minister C Vijaya Bhaskar, who represents the Viralimalai assembly constituency, has reportedly sponsored an excursion in luxury buses for around 5,000 local partymen to Courtallam in Tirunelveli district.

According to a party functionary, the minister has made all arrangements for their more-than-a-week stay in the ‘Spa of South’. He said a team has been formed to oversee all arrangements at the waterfalls town where a hall and a catering party have also been hired.

Taking cue from his party colleague, Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker and Karur MP M Thambidurai had hired six buses to take his supporters from Manapparai to Courtallam on Wednesday. They are scheduled to visit the Tiruchendur temple before their 2-day fun tour to Courtallam.

Party functionaries close to Thambidurai have also confirmed that there were plans to take a select group of supporters, ranging from district to panchayat level, to the national capital by flight. At least 200 functionaries may be taken from Karur to New Delhi by flight on July 21. From there, they will be taken to Agra and nearby tourist spots, party sources said.

However, leading the race to Delhi is Tiruchy MP P Kumar, who along with around 50 of his supporters, reached the national capital on Wednesday. Sources said there were several partymen, who were travelling by flight for the first time. The group is said to have visited Parliament and a few other tourist spots in Delhi on the first day of their tour.

Political observers said that this trend of all expenses-paid excursions seems to have become popular after the infamous Koovathur episode, where legislators were herded into a resort before a crucial assembly vote last year.