DMK treasurer Stalin becomes party's new working president
CHENNAI: The general council of the DMK met at Chennai on Wednesday and put a stamp on M K Stalin's coronation as the new working president of the party.
The meeting was held at at the party headquarters ‘Anna Arivalayam’, as per sources.
The DMK scion's elevation comes amidst the ill-health of the party patriarch M Karunanidhi, who has been remaining confined to his Gopalapuram residence since October last.
Stalin, who is also Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, has been steering the party in the absence of active participation of his father. He led the Assembly elections campaign last year after launching a road show while interacting with representatives of industry and other sectors to drum up support for his party.
Attempting to help usher in a new culture of bonhomie with the arch rival AIADMK, he visited Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa when she was hospitalised.
Later, he tried to reach out to O Panneerselvam, who was sworn in as the Chief Minister then, on a few occasions, for taking up the State’s issues.
Now Stalin being elevated as the working president, the post of treasurer, which was held by him, now becomes vacant. But the top leadership seems to have not decided on filling the powerful post for the time being. This is similar to the case of one deputy general secretary post that fell vacant following the death of Sarguna Pandian recently.
Party sources said that former minister I Periasamy and E V Velu have emerged as strong contenders for the treasurer’s post, but the scale may tilt towards the former, hailing from South Tamil Nadu, when the leadership takes a call.
The general council is also expected to adopt several resolutions in connection with the issues affecting the State, particularly the drought conditions, increasing number of suicides and a bailout package for affected farmers.
Although DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan said earlier that Karunanidhi will chair the meeting, he is unlikely to make an appearance due to his health condition.