Amid indications of a possible succession war within the party, the DMK on Tuesday rallied behind its Working President, MK Stalin, the son of late party chief M Karunanidhi, saying he would take over its leadership soon.
Duraimurugan, the party’s Principal Secretary and Karunanidhi’s long-time aide, said Stalin had all the skills to lead the party. He was speaking at an “urgent” meeting of the party’s Executive Committee here to mourn the death of Karunanidhi, who passed away on August 7.
“Dear Thalapathi (commander), who is soon to become (DMK) President, we are prepared to follow your orders...lead us,” the senior leader said, addressing Stalin, as the DMK workers cheered.
“You have all the skills..you have the skills of Anna (DMK founder CN Annadurai), Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) and yourself. There is nobody in Tamil Nadu who can defeat you,” he said.
Party workers raised slogans hailing Stalin soon after Duraimurugan said the Working President would graduate to the party’s leadership role.
Duraimurugan’s statement comes amid indications of a possible succession war in the Dravidian party, with expelled DMK leader and Karunanidhi’s elder son, MK Alagiri, claiming that the true supporters of his father were with him.
Alagiri, estranged from the family, had on Monday claimed that all loyal party workers were with him and that the DMK would “dig its own grave” if it does not take him back.