Expelled Alagiri claims loyal DMK workers with him

The DMK today appeared headed for a fresh succession war days after the death of its patriarch M Karunanidhi, with his estranged son and former union minister M K Alagiri claiming all loyal party workers are with him.

Karunanidhi had expelled Alagiri and his supporters from the party in 2014 at the height of his fight with his younger brother M K Stalin over establishing supremacy in Tamil Nadu's main opposition party.

Stalin is now the working president of the DMK and looks set to assume its reins.

Alagiri today paid tributes to his father at his grave on the Marina Beach and made his intentions clear when he claimed all loyal party workers were with him.

"All the true and loyal supporters of Thalaivar, Kalaignar (The leader and the artiste, sobriquets used for Karunanidhi) are with me, they are supporting me...time will provide the answer," Alagiri, who has been leading a life away from the media glare in Madurai since his expulsion, told reporters.

He said he prayed at his father's grave over his "grievances and frustration" about which the media would not know now.

When asked if those related to the family or the party, Alagiri said it was the latter.

The development came a day ahead of the DMK's executive committee meeting that has been ostensibly convened to condole Karunanidhi's death but where a decision may be taken about summoning the party's general council for putting its seal of approval on Stalin's elevation.

When asked to comment on the tomorrow's meeting, Alagiri said," I am not in the DMK. Do not ask me about it."
When Stalin embarked on an aggressive campaign for the 2016 Assembly election with his voter outreach programme "Namakku Naame Vidiyal Meetpu Payanam" (We for ourselves, journey to retrieve the dawn), Alagiri called it a "comedy show."