MADURAI: Former Union minister and elder son of late DMK leader M Karunanidi, MK Alagiri, has asked close supporters to assemble in a hall in Pandikoil in Madurai on January 3, for what may be the beginning of a new political adventure and a party that may be christened Thalaivar Kalaignar DMK. Alagiri, brother of DMK president M K Stalin, was expelled from DMK in 2014 ahead of the Lok Sabha election.
A brief statement on a letterhead bearing Alagiri's name and address, convening a meeting of his associates, is being circulated in Madurai. K Isakkimuthu, 74, a staunch Alagiri supporter, who was dismissed from the party along with his leader, confirmed that the meeting was to be held on Jan 3, between 4 and 7pm.
“The DMK supporters like us are attending this meeting with a heavy heart, because the party is in our blood. But Alagiri has done his best and the DMK high command continues to ignore him,” said Isakkimuthu. There are possibilities of a new party being announced. “But we hope that the DMK takes a good decision and takes us back because we will work selflessly for the victory of the party in the ensuing election,’’ he said.
“We have done waiting. It is seven years now. The official announcement on a new party is expected on his birthday, January 30,” said another supporter ML Raj. He said many supporters were expected to attend the proposed meeting.
The Alagiri supporters say their leader had not done anything other than taking to the notice of his father Karunanidhi that old loyalists of the party were being sidelined. That did not deserve such harsh action as being expelled from the DMK (in 2014), they say. MDMK leader Vaiko, formerly with DMK, had done a lot worse in the past, like vowing to defeat the DMK, they said, pointing out that he continued to be an ally of the DMK.