DMK’s Karunanidhi names Stalin his political successor Second-round question papers leaked: Parents

DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi has named his younger son MK Stalin as his political heir in an interview to a Tamil magazine, potentially settling the long-standing succession battle in one of the most powerful political families. The announcement, contained in his answer to one of the questions by Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan that hit the stands on Thursday, could also widen the rift between Stalin and his elder brother MK Alagiri. “… It would be apt that Stalin is my successor because of his hard work, dedication and sense of purpose. Stalin has proved himself that he is the future of the DMK,” Karunanidhi said.

Question papers for the second round of competency tests — to assess math and first language skills of students from Classes 1 to 8 — held on Wednesday and Thursday, were leaked in different parts of the city, according to parents.

They complained to the state education board that the papers were being sold to students before the exam for Rs20 to Rs30 in shops at Byculla, Agripada and Nagpada .

Although the department is probing the leaks, education activists wrote to chief minister Devandra Fadnavis on Thursday demanding changes in the way the tests are conducted. They were introduced last year by education minister Vinod Tawde to identify learning levels of students in Maharashtra schools.

Three rounds of tests are scheduled this year — one was held in July and the next will be in April.