Seeking to rejoin DMK, Azhagiri takes out rally in Chennai in show of strength

MK Azhagiri, the elder son of late DMK chief M Karunanidhi, began his silent rally in Chennai on Wednesday, in what is being seen as a show of strength by his supporters.

Azhagiri, who has claimed since Karunanidhi’s death that loyal party workers were with him, had earlier said the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam would face a threat after his rally to pay homage to his father. He has said over 100,000 people would take part in the rally.

Azhagiri is upset with party president and his younger brother MK Stalin for not letting him rejoin the party, in spite of his protestations of loyalty and a public statement that he is ready to accept his leadership. He has been in political hibernation since his expulsion from the party in 2014 by Karunanidhi. The former Union minister was sacked after differences with his father in an apparent turf war with Stalin.

He has expressed his willingness to accept Stalin’s leadership with a rider to readmit him into the party. Azhagiri said while speaking to reporters in Madurai on Sunday that the DMK’s current leadership -- a reference to Stalin -- was not willing to re-admit him despite his requests. He also said the party did not consist just of the General Council, which elected Stalin as the DMK president on Tuesday, as the “genuine party cadres” were with him.

Azhagiri refused to comment on Stalin’s silence to his demand, but told the media, “As I said earlier, lakhs of my supporters will take part in the rally. Since I am the son of Kalaignar (Karunanidhi), I will stand by my words.”

He had claimed on August 13 that all “loyal” party workers were with him, indicating a fresh succession war in the DMK, and accused Stalin of blocking his return to the party.

On August 27, he warned in Madurai that if the DMK leadership did not take him back, then its leadership will have to face “consequences” but did not elaborate. He had also claimed that if he was not readmitted into the DMK, the party leaders would face a similar defeat in the upcoming Lok Sabha election like in the last Parliament and assembly polls.

Political observers said Azhagiri’s refusal to respond on questions related to his brother could be a strategy to facilitate his re-entry into the DMK.

“As an organiser, Azhagiri is a powerful man. The DMK now desperately needs an electoral victory and it will be a good decision to induct Azhagiri into the party,” political observer Tharaasu Shyam said.

“Since Thirupparankundram is in Madurai district where Azhagiri is based, his contribution would help the DMK to win the seat. Also, Azhagiri has made it clear that he is not expecting any party posts (for now),” he said.

He also observed that this stand could also bring sympathy for Azhagiri.

The DMK on Tuesday acted strongly against M Ravi, the area secretary of Velachery in Chennai, for welcoming Azhagiri at the airport, suspending him for “bringing disrepute to the party”. The 96-year-old leader is a contemporary of the recently deceased party patriarch M Karunanidhi and had facilitated the smooth coronation of Stalin as the party president last month.

First Published: Sep 05, 2018 11:39 IST