TIRUCHY: In an attempt to end the faction feud that was threatening to split the district unit, DMK treasurer M K Stalin took former minister and district secretary K N Nehru and State deputy secretary of the youth wing Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, in his vehicle during his Namakku Naame tour on Tuesday and lectured them about the need to work together.
Considered a Tiruchy strongman, Nehru was losing his support base to Mahesh, grandson of one of DMK stalwarts in the district Anbil Dharmalingam and son of Anbil Poyyamozhi. To cite an instance, former MLAs K N Sekaran and Anbil Periasamy who once moved around with Nehru switched allegience to Mahesh who enjoys unconditional support from the higher-ups. Subsequently, former MLA Rani and Kudamuritti T Sekar, Seemanur Prabhu and Thangamani also deserted Nehru.
This was a strong blow to Nehru. “He never bothered when N Selvaraj, Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchy Siva and even A Raja were working against him. But Mahesh’s campaign against has jolted him,” said a Nehru sympathiser.
Mahesh started to lead his own camp through activities without the knowledge of Nehru. This reached a flashpoint when the Mahesh camp unusually celebrated his birthday in a grand manner on December 2 with more number of posters and strong words against Nehru.