CHENNAI: DMK heir apparent MK Stalin on Sunday submitted his resignation from all party posts, owning up responsibility for the party’s dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections. Stalin submitted his letter of resignation to his father and party patriarch M Karunanidhi. Stalin’s decision has come as a surprise even to his staunch loyalists, who say they were not consulted.
There is however neither an official acknowledgement nor acceptance of Stalin’s letter.
Sources close to the DMK high command confirmed to Express that Stalin has indeed submitted the letter. Karunanidhi is reportedly waiting to consult with party seniors such as general secretary K Anbazhagan and deputy general secretary Durai Murugan over the way forward.
Stalin has been serving as the party treasurer and youth wing secretary for many years, and had become a de facto power centre within the party, especially in contention for succession with his brother, MK Alagiri.
Stalin had won the succession battle with Alagiri just over a month ago, and has been blamed by a number of voices within the party for the utter failure in the Lok Sabha elections. He has been accused of picking the wrong candidates, especially in the context of the tickets given to tainted former Union Ministers A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran. The party had also failed to even come within striking distance of winning a seat in the election.