Azhagiri likely to contest by-polls

Expelled Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and late M Karunanidhi’s estranged son, M K Azhagiri on Sunday said he would take a decision on contesting the by-elections to Tiruvarur assembly constituency, represented by his father and late party supremo M Karunanidhi, after consulting his supporters.

Azhagiri, who visited Karunanidhi’s ancestral house in Thirukuvalai near here, about 300 km from Chennai, however, ruled out floating his own party.

“If my followers ask me to contest from Tiruvarur in the by-election (whenever it is held), I will consider contesting,” the Madurai-based Alagiri told reporters.

Karunanidhi died on August 7 after prolonged illness.

Besides Tiruvarur, Tiruparankundram assembly constituency in Madurai district is also vacant following the death of the sitting member.

Alagiri, who has of late been keen on re-joining the DMK from which he was expelled in 2014, said he was following the policies of his father.

He described as ‘rumour’ reports that BJP was behind him and that he had links with superstar Rajinikanth.

Alagiri, who has claimed that loyal party workers were with him, had organised a rally

TIRUVARUR(TN):

Opposition DMK Sunday announced it would stage state-wide protests against the ruling AIADMK on corruption, in a bid to counter the arch rival’s move against it on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue. The AIADMK has announced state-wide public meetings on September 25 seeking ‘trial’ of DMK and Congress for “war crimes” against Tamils in the 2009 Sri Lankan civil conflict. DMK propaganda secretaries Trichy Siva and A Raja said the meetings, titled “Commission-Collection-Corruption”, will be held on October 3 and 4. Themeetingswould be held to ‘condemn’ the AIADMK government

CHENNAI:

in Chennai earlier this month to press for his re-induction, but theDravida Munnetra Kazhagam has been keeping mum on his overtures.