)
M K Alagiri, expelled from DMK, is expected to hold a meeting with his supporters at Madurai today to take a final call on the next course of action. The options include launching a new party or to support other parties. Posters proclaiming Alagiri as General Secretary of 'Kalaignar DMK' already started creating stir in Madurai, strong base and home town of Alagiri.
On Monday, Times of India published pictures of the posters, pasted on the walls of Madurai, in South Tamil Nadu. The posters carried pictures of Alagiri and his son Durai Alagiri with a black and red flag, similar to DMK's. The flag also had picture of DMK's Supermo and Alagiri's father M Karunanidi's picture in the middle.
The poster says that 'Kalaignar Thi Mu Ka vin pothucheyalalare, katchiyum, kodiyum ready. Paaralaumandra therthalai santippom' (Kalaignar DMK's General Secretary! The party and flag are ready. Let us face the parliamentary election). It may be noted, DMK's followers refer the word Kalaignar to Karunanidhi.
In January, Alagiri's supporters were suspended for puttng up controversial posters in Madurai. The chains of events following that led to the expulsion of Alagiri from the party. Alagiri was the Former DMK southern zone secretary.
Media reports quoting Alagiri close friends stated that the posters on the new party had nothing to do with Alagiri.
The development comes a few days after Alagiri met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.It was also reported that Alagiri met BJP President Rajnath Singh though Alagiri and BJP did not comment about the meeting.
Media reports stated that Alagiri, on his arrival in Delhi on last Wednesday night, drove straight to the residence of BJP President. Reports quoting sources stated that Alagiri offered his support for the BJP alliance.
On Friday he and his son also called Tamil film icon Rajinikanth, who stays few doors away from AIADMK' Supermo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's house in Chennai. Alagiri was accompanied by his Durai Alagiri and MP K P Ramalingam.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Rajinikanth, Alagiri said, "he (Rajinikanth) is my well-wisher. I spoke to him about my personal issues and I will not speak politics with him. I came for my peace of mind."
All these developments comes at a time when there is speculation that Alagiri wants to take revenge on DMK, which expelled him. The former Union Minister has considerable influence in about seven Lok Sabha constituencies in south Tamil Nadu. He had fielded some rebel candidates against DMK in the 2001 Assembly elections, which caused a lot of damage to the party in about 12 constituencies.
