CHENNAI: Once again the DMK is in the throes of a family crisis that it has been witnessing after the demotion of M K Alagiri and the ascent of M K Stalin. The simmering feud appears to engulf the Dravidian major at a time when the greying leadership remains clueless about stemming the rot. While a restless Stalin, the heir apparent, is seemingly running out of patience regarding his coronation, the aged DMK patriarch is unwilling to give up control and ride into the sunset—as the party symbol of the sun peeping between two hillocks is interpreted today.
Close on the heels of a much hyped purge in the wake of the poll rout, which turned out to be a farce with the big guns being let off the hook, the disappointed Stalin faction has upped the ante. Apprehensive of a possible homecoming of his elder brother M K Alagiri, expelled from the party, this is seen as his attempt to consolidate his grip over the party. Hence, “Make ‘Thalapathy’ (General – Stalin) the CM candidate for 2016” has become the war cry of his acolytes. But, it had only prompted the old man of Gopalapuram to crack the whip, indicating that he is not ready to allow things lying down this time around.
In what looks like the tip of the ice-berg of an impending rebellion, P V Kalyanasundaram, DMK organising secretary, last week dashed off a resignation letter demanding Stalin be named to lead the party in the 2016 poll, which made some plainspeak, calling for banishing the 2G-tainted Kanimozhi and A Raja as well as Dayanidhi Maran. Stung by this, Karunanidhi wasted no time to wield the stick and Stalin's rebel was expelled for anti-party activities. This swift reaction has raised eyebrows. Unlike in the past when it was sibling rivalry, this time the fight is directed at Karunanidhi and hence would be interesting to watch.