Sibling war soared yet again in DMK as supporters of party treasurer M.K. Stalin rushed to the podium at a general council meeting Friday to protest senior leader Veerapandi S. Arumugam’s suggestion that the succession issue was still wide open.
They insisted their dalapathi (commander) alone was qualified to head the party after M. Karunanidhi, his father and DMK president. Luckily, the other son, Alagiri, had left the place by then, else there could have been an unpleasant showdown.
Trouble started when the party began deliberations on the strategy for the 2014 Lok Sabha poll.
Mr Arumugam spoke in anguish that the party seemed torn between two rival factions, one belonging to north Tamil Nadu and the other from the south. It was obvious he was referring to Stalin (north) and Alagiri (south).
Mr Karunanidhi was visibly upset over the incident. Strangely, he saw “an external conspiracy” in the outburst of Stalin followers, alleging “spies from outside” had conspired to sabotage the smooth functioning of the meeting.
Mr Arumugam had only appealed for party unity but that was misinterpreted to suit mischief-makers, he concluded.
“I feel sorry this incident is a blot on Stalin even before he assumes an important position in this party,” Mr Karunanidhi said.
He later told reporters there was no discussion on succession at the council meet. The next leader would be chosen through party elections in about a year, he said.
About a recent survey sho-wing Mr Stalin as the leading contender for DMK leadership, he quipped, “If my son is chosen to lead party, why would I deny such an honour?” n More on p4