DMK brass throw weight behind Stalin for top post

CHENNAI:DRAVIDA Munnetra Kazhgam (DMK) spokesman T K S Elangovan on Tuesday led the calls for M K Stalin’s elevation as the party president a week after the party patriarch, M Karunanidhi, passed away. Stalin, Karunanidhi’s son, is currently the DMK’S working president.

The calls came a day after Stalin’s estranged brother, M K Alagiri, claimed support of “true loyalist cadres” and staked his claim to the DMK leadership. Karunanidhi had expelled Alagiri from the DMK in 2014 and named Stalin as his successor. “Stalin has the capacity to lead the party.

We are ready to work with him. After the demise of (DMK founder) C N Annadurai, our beloved leader Karunanidhi had said he was borrowing Anna’s heart for running the party. Now, I assure you, Stalin has the hearts of Periyar, Anna and Kalaignar (Karunanidhi),” said Elangovan at the party’s first executive committee meeting after Karunanidhi’s death.

Former Union minister and DMK leader, T R Baalu, echoed Elangovan. He said thalapathi (or commander as Stalin is referred to) will become the thalaivar (leader) now. “Kalaignar’s demise is an irreparable loss to the party. But we pin our hopes on our working president. He will lead the party the same way as Kalaignar always did.”

Speeches of Stalin, DMK principal secretary Durai Murugan and other leaders eulogising Karunanidhi’s contribution to Tamil Nadu moved hundreds of DMK workers to tears.