Stalin camps reject Alagiri’s return to DMK

CHENNAI: The succession dispute in Tamil Nadu’s main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) seems to be quietly developing into a full-scale battle. Even as late DMK patrairch M. Karunanidhi’s elder son MK Alagiri stayed away from coming out with a challenge against younger brother MK Stalin whom the father had designated as his successor, Stalin’s confidants on Saturday said Alagiri has no place in the party.

According to them, Alagiri, who was expelled by Karunanidhi himself in 2014 for alleged anti-party activities, cannot be reinstated at any cost. “Alagiri was expelled for his anti-party activities by thalaivar (Karunanidhi). There is no question of admitting him again in the DMK. We respect him as Kalaignar’s son, but family is second when it comes to the interests of the party,” a senior leader close to Alagiri said.

The elder son was testing the waters, they feel. However, the DMK leadership that gathered on August 14 emphatically endorsed Stalin to run the party.

As his prospects a return looked bleak, Alagiri is known to have a plan to join actor Rajinikanth’s party. The actor has in the past said that Stalin is a good leader, but does not want to take him in as he is a chief minister candidate.

Alagiri is planning a silent rally in Chennai during the first week of September to mark the 30th day anniversary of Karunanidhi. He might declare his future plan in public then.

DMK sources say he is bargaining for plum posts for himself and his son Dayanidhi Alagiri in the DMK and its wings including its trusts, a demand which was turned down by Stalin.

A few days ago, in an epistle to party members, Stalin made it clear that he is ready to face any obstacles, a remark which is said to be aimed at Alagiri.

The sibling fight is not new, but now happens in the absence of the father whose decisions were always final.

Alagiri, who was kept for four years, was expected to revolt against Stalin’s leadership after Karunanidhi’s death. He fired a first salvo at his father’s resting place last week, but was vague in his utterances. He said Karunanidhi loyalists are with him, but the leadership meet totally rejected him.

“Party posts are being sold,” Alagiri recently said. “Many leaders are in touch with Rajinikanth.” Alagiri aides allege that some senior leaders of the DMK who are “guiding” Stalin are misleading him as they fear Alagiri’s re-entry would make things tough for them, as these satraps are ruining the party.