Karunanidhi to crown his son

Toeing the trend of dynastic rule in India and taking a cue from the Nehru-Gandhi family, DMK patriarch and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi is scheduled to name his son M.K. Stalin his political successor at the ensuing two-day party’s youth wing meet beginning at Turynelvelu in the State today.

According to DMK sources, although Karunanidhi may not directly announce his successor’s name during the meet, he is sure to provide ample hint in this regard.

Fifty-four-year-old Stalin is also the Tamil Nadu Local Administration and Rural Development Minister who has been heading the party’s youth wing since its inception at Madurai in 1980. Four years ago he was appointed the Deputy General Secretary and when the party came to power a year ago, he has undertaken the strenuous task of touring all the districts in the State and interact with officials, panchayat leaders as well as his party workers.

While the DMK youth wing meet is scheduled to be heralded by a youth rally today as a trial of their strength, Opposition AIADMK has stiffly resisted the conference to be held in the college grounds on the pretext that it would harm the grounds and affect students. At the same time, the AIADMK has alleged that in order to make the rally a success, the DMK is likely to use its strength to capture and use all public transport buses causing immense problems for the commuters on those two days.

On the other hand, the ruling DMK has selected Tirunelveli as the venue for the meet as the town has always voted in favour of the party and is measured as a party bastion. Meanwhile, with a view to ensure the success of the proposed meet, Stalin has himself been undertaking a hurricane tour of Tamil Nadu to encourage and revitalise the youth brigade’s support for the party as well as to ensure utmost turnout at the two-day rally.

Senior leaders were competing with each other to welcome Stalin during the tour. In fact, in order to be in the good books of the party boss, even

senior DMK leaders are competing with each other to accord grand receptions to Stalin during his tour to their respective areas.

However, all does not seem to be well for Stalin as his elder brother Azahgiri is reported to be sulking over Karunanidhi’s attempt to promote his favourite son at his cost.

Local media reports hint that Azahgiri is disappointed over big posters and hoardings of Stalin being splashed all over the State.

All this notwithstanding, if sources close to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister are to be believed, Karunanidhi is not willing to stop just announcing Stalin as his

political successor, but may even promote him to the post of Deputy Chief Minister of the State.

Newslocale.org