'Toxic' Alagiri Unfazed by Fiat

Striking back at the DMK high command over warning to cadre not to have any contact with Alagiri, the party’s suspended south zone organising secretary.
'Toxic' Alagiri Unfazed by Fiat

Striking back at the DMK high command over Wednesday warning to cadre not to have any contact with Alagiri, the party’s suspended south zone organising secretary said his supporters would not be cowed down by such orders. “I will decide my next course of action after another round of consultation supporters,” he said.

“My supporters are wild jackals and they will not be afraid of any thing. Moreover, they are not power hungry. Those in the opponent camp are money minded and power hungry,” remarked Alagiri.

When asked why the the party has issued such an order against him, his reply was, ”You should ask the party chief and not me”.

To a question if he would work against the DMK in case his supporters wanted him to do so, Alagiri nodded and said, “I will toe the line of my supporters.”

Some loyalists claimed that Alagiri made a desperate attempt for reconciliation with Karunanidhi through superstar Rajinikanth, but the DMK chief reportedly said that the party was not under his control.

“The shocking response of Karunanidhi, who had said that Stalin’s family was in total control of the party and any kind of talks has to be routed through them forced the Madurai strongman make a statement on Monday after the meeting with his supporters that he would save the party leader from the group,” said one of the close aides of Alagiri.

As Alagiri’s attempt for reconciliation had failed, he had a close-door meeting with his supporters on Tuesday evening to decide on what stand to take with regard to DMK candidates in a few places in southern districts. “Most of his loyalists wanted him to wait for a few days. But things turned worse on Wed nesday after the order of the high command,” said a long-time loyalist of the Madurai strongman. Sensing that Alagiri was not happy with the party’s choice for Theni and Virudhunagar districts, Congress functionaries from these two pockets have approached the former minister for support. Same is the case with Madurai and Nellai. “After the suspension, Alagiri has become the rallying point for disappointed DMK workers across the state,” said a functionary.

A close aide and sitting MP of Ramanathapuram J K Ritheesh said, “We may vote for DMK candidates, but won’t do any field work for them in the poll campaign.”

“Though many in the party are dissatisfied with the conduct of organisational polls and choice of candidates, none has expressed them openly. Because Alagiri raised voice against these wrongs, he was penalised by the party,” he said.

“By April that is before the visit of Karunanidhi to the Temple City, Alagiri may make a crucial announcement,” hinted another loyalist.

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