The DMK seems to be not perturbed over the recent speech made by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi that led to intense speculation that he would retire next year. But is it a strategy to make his son M K Stalin the Chief Minister?

"After the Tamil meet I will get even more closer to you leaving aside politics and the ministerial positions," Karunanidhi had said.

The speech led to media speculation that the grand old man of Tamil Nadu politics has decided to call it quits. But within the DMK, that hasn't been a talking point yet.

"It's his personal opinion. We have not discussed this at any quarter," says K Anbazhagan, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister.

Karunanidhi has broken such an announcement in the past, and cadres believe their leader would ultimately give in to party pressure. But analysts say this could be a strategy to elevate his deputy and son M K Stalin to be the Chief Minister before the 2011 polls.

With his elder son M K Alagiri now a minister at the Centre, the ugly sibling rivalry for succession seems to have died at least for now.

Is Karunanidhi really ready to retire? Or is it a trial balloon to guage the mood in the party and his families?