Always considered recalcitrant, MK Alagiri, the eldest son of Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi [by his second wife Dayalu Ammal], on Wednesday revolted against his father’s political succession plan.
Alagiri has been nurturing a grudge against sibling MK Stalin ever
since the latter was anointed as the political heir apparent by his father. He wants the CM’s chair.
In an interview to Tamil magazine Junior Vikatan’s latest issue on Wednesday, Alagiri made it clear that he will not accept anybody as the party leader after Karunanidhi.
When asked who would be his leader, Alagiri replied: “I was initiated into the Dravidian culture at the age of 10 by my leader [Karunanidhi], who also told me a lot about Periyar. At that time, I looked upon Periyar [Dravida Kazhagam founder EV Ramaswamy] as the leader. Subsequently, I was influenced by the speeches and articles of Anna [Tamil Nadu’s former chief minister CN Annadurai] and looked up to him as the leader. After these stalwarts, I look only upon Kalaignar [as Karunanidhi is fondly addressed by all] as my leader of the past, present and future. I don’t think there is anybody in the party to fit the stature of Kalaignar.”
Karunanidhi has, of late, been hinting at retiring from active politics and is expected to name Stalin as the next CM. Karunanidhi is also the DMK president and the power to name the person to succeed him rests solely with him.
Karunanidhi reacted sharply when asked to comment on Alagiri’s remarks. “You have to ask him, what he means,” the chief minister told reporters in Chennai.
