Tamil Nadu politics is set for a major shake up after DMK chief M Karunanidhi suspended his son MK Alagiri from the party for his continued opposition to efforts to stitch an alliance with Vijaykanth’s DMDK.
Karunanidhi’s strong action against his own son also indicates that the DMK patriarch has finally decided to end the bitter leadership tussle in the family. By suspending Alagiri, the DMK chief has made it clear that his choice is his younger son MK Stalin to take over the reins of the party.
Algairi always had an uncomfortable relationship with Stalin. Over the years, both brothers had divided territories – Stalin was the Deputy CM in last DMK government while Alagiri was sent to Delhi as a union minister – to keep the scales balanced.
However, with Karunanidhi sensing that DMK may fare badly in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, he had to act to get the house in order.
The tie up with ‘Captain’ was part of the plan as DMK could not have taken on J Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK on its own.
While majority in the party leadership were keen to go with the DMDK, Alagiri had opposed the plan and said that he did not consider Vijaykanth – a movie superstar – a politician hence the party should not tie-up with him.
Alagiri opened a new front against Stalin too. He recently said that, for him, Karunandhi was the only leader of the DMK and he will not accept anyone else.
