Stalin may discuss Azhagiri’s return
CHENNAI: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin has convened a meeting of his party’s district secretaries on September 8 to discuss various issues including the return of his estranged brother Azhagiri to the party.
The meeting will be held days after Azhagiri’s planned show of strength on September 5 in Chennai. Azhagiri has accepted Stalin’s leadership while insisting that their father, M Karunanidhi’s “true followers” are with him.
Karunanidhi had in 2014 expelled Azhagiri and named Stalin as his successor. Azhagiri had sought his re-entry into the DMK after Karunanidhi’s death last month.
Azhagiri on Sunday refused to comment on Stalin’s silence over his return to the DMK. “As I said earlier, lakhs of my supporters will take part in the (September 5) rally. Since I am a son of Kalaignar (Karunanidhi), I will stand by my words,” he told reporters in Madurai.
Political observers say Azhagiri’s refusal to respond to questions related to Stalin is part of his strategy to facilitate his re-entry into the DMK.
“As an organiser, Azhagiri is a powerful man. The DMK now desperately needs an electoral victory and it will be a good decision to re-induct Azhagiri now,’’ said political observer Tharaasu Shyam.
“Since Thirupparankundram (where assembly bypoll is due) is in Madurai district where Azhagiri is based, his contribution would help DMK win the seat. Also, Azhagiri has made it clear that he is not expecting any party posts.”
He said this stand could also bring sympathy for Azhagiri.
“If the election results go against the DMK, the cadres would start to say that Stalin should have inducted him. So it becomes crucial for Stalin to decide on his elder brother’s induction,” said Shyam.
Senior DMK leaders, who did not wish to be identified, said the party’s preparedness for the Lok Sabha polls will be among the issues discussed at the meeting.
“The main agenda of the meeting is expected to be fundraising and Stalin will exhort the party office-bearers to raise funds for the party. He will also hear the grievances of the 65 district secretaries,’’ a DMK district secretary said on condition of anonymity.
“Since Thiruvarur and Thirupparankundram by-polls are soon due because of the deaths of Karunanidhi and AIADMK’s A K Bose, Stalin would also devise strategies to face the elections.”
I WILL DO WHAT I SAID, SAYS AZHAGIRI
Expelled DMK leader MK Azhagiri on Sunday said he would go ahead with the proposed September 5 rally in Chennai, touted as a show of strength by his supporters.
“I am Thalaivar’s (late DMK chief M Karunanidhi) son, so I will do what I said,” he told reporters here when asked about the silent rally proposed by him to pay homage to his father, who died on August 7.
However, he refused to respond to a query on the party’s silence to his request to readmit him.