Shah has accepted the personal invitation the DMK had sent him through one of its Rajya Sabha MPs recently. Originally planned to hit out at the BJP regime of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the DMK had converted the “state autonomy” conference into a tribute meeting titled “A sun rising from the south” following the demise of Karunanidhi on August 7.

The BJP national president would share the dais with leaders of Congress, both left parties, TMC, SP and BSP among the national parties at the programme next week. DMK sources, who confirmed the participation of Shah, dismissed any hidden political agenda behind the participation of the BJP leader and said the idea was merely to get parties to pay homage to Karunanidhi.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, however, would give the meeting a miss owing to his ongoing European tour. Congress general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad will represent his party in the meeting. “The same leaders who had agreed to participate in the autonomy conference are expected to be present for the tribute meeting. The only difference is the agenda (tribute to Karunanidhi) has changed and the list of invitees is now elaborate,” said a DMK senior requesting anonymity.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders in TN, including Tamizhisai Soundararajan would attend the August 26 meeting of state political leaders organised by the DMK in Tirunelveli to honour Karunanidhi. Sources say over two-dozen leaders from various political parties, including MNM leader Kamal Haasan would speak at the Tirunelveli meeting.