Trouble in DMK: Alagiri, Stalin camps head for showdown

Union minister M K Alagiri and brother M K Stalin.

CHENNAI: Differences between DMK chief M Karunanidhi's sons appear to be dividing the ranks of the party, already hurt by the spate of 2G arrests and the electoral drubbing, with sources saying a showdown was likely at a crucial party meet next week.

Supporters of the older son M K Alagiri are livid over political heir-apparent M K Stalin and his supporters urging the party's youth wing members and even senior general council members to register their protest against family politics and its negative impact on DMK. At a recent youth wing meet organized by Stalin, members were apparently urged to write feedback letters that interference of family members in affairs of state and the party during the previous DMK regime was the prime reason for its downfall. These feedback letters have to be sent to the party by July 15 ahead of the two-day general council meeting beginning July 23.

Sources confirmed many DMK general council members have been directed to cite supremacy of the family over party and the 2G spectrum arrests as main reasons for DMK's defeat in state elections. Many members who sent their feedback letters to party headquarters even suggested that Karunanidhi's family keep away from politics. Sources say the Stalin camp is out to speed up his coronation as DMK chief.

The gameplan of Stalin's supporters in the run-up to the general council meet to discuss the reasons for the party's electoral defeat and a major restructuring has not gone down well with his older brother and Union minister M K Alagiri.

His supporters point out that 'annan' (elder brother) Alagiri was not a political novice. "We can't allow anyone to discredit him so. We will give a proper reply to them at the general council meeting," a south district secretary said.

"Thalapathi (commander as Stalin is called by has supporters) and his close associates called and instructed us to put down some important issues in the feedback forms.

As per their instructions, we have focused on two subjects. One is about 2G and the other is about the interference of Kalaignar's family members in party affairs," a district secretary from the central zone told TOI.

"Hereafter, please avoid using the pictures of my family members. Just carry photographs of Periyar, Anna and Kalaignar and, those with true affection towards me, carry my picture. If there were photos of my family members in invitations I would never attend those functions," Alagiri said at a wedding.

But the quiet campaign by Stalin supporters against family members involved in state politics has apparently irked the Madurai strongman. The party's proposal to dismantle the present structure and replace district committees with parliamentary and assembly constituency committees has also evoked displeasure. The final decision will be taken in the meeting to be held at Coimbatore.