Names of former telecom minister A Raja, who was acquitted in the 2G case recently, former minister EV Velu and Duraimurugan are doing the rounds. 

If the DMK insiders are to be believed, former food minister Velu, who enjoys extraordinary rapport with the working president could likely step into Stalin’s shoes. Senior DMK sources in the know of things told DT Next that Velu was frontrunner for the post. Unsurprisingly, a few second rung leaders have prodded party principal headquarters secretary Duraimurugan to enter the fray. “Leaders who do not like Velu’s elevation have been persuading Duraimurugan to take up the top job,” said a party senior on condition of anonymity. Duraimurugan was vying for the party general secretary post just about the same time Stalin was elevated to the office of party working president early last year. However, senior-most leader and incumbent party general secretary K Anbazhagan played spoilsport for the Vellore strongman by refusing to demit office, unlike his peer M Karunanidhi, who could not prevent Stalin’s rise due to ill health. 

Stalin’s decision to divest the treasurer post may have been prompted by the “one-man-one-post” policy strongly pushed by the high command for party functionaries. Notably, Stalin is unlikely to name his ‘successor’ any time before the party organisational polls, which would take place after the state conference to be held in Erode late in March. 

Stalin could pour cold water on his lieutenants’ plans if the court verdict in MLAs disqualification case necessitates Assembly election, which would take precedence over the party organisational polls.