Chennai:
Three days after he controversially indicated that his younger son, MK Stalin, would succeed him, DMK chief M Karunanidhi has clarified that he would propose the latter's name for the post of president only if he gets a chance. He also said that his remarks on Stalin had been "misconstrued" by the media.
"DMK is a democratic party. For anybody to contest for president or general secretary's post, his name has to be proposed at the party's general council by majority and others have to abide by it," Mr Karunanidhi told reporters today after a meeting with the party's district secretaries in Chennai.
"If I get such a chance in my personal capacity, then I would propose Stalin's name, as his name was earlier proposed by the party's general secretary and it will be like I am seconding it," the 89-year-old leader said.
His clarification today follows his remarks at a public function on Thursday which suggested that he had picked Mr Stalin as his political successor, thus re-igniting a long-standing battle for power involving his older son and Union Minister MK Alagiri. "I would struggle for the upliftment of the oppressed communities all my lifetime and to the question 'who after that', don't forget MK Stalin is the answer," Mr Karunanidhi had said. His remarks clearly did not go down well with Mr Alagiri who retorted, "Our
Thalaivar (leader) has already said DMK is not a
mutt (sect) to appoint a successor. He also added that the party's by-laws did not allow announcing Mr Stalin as the next leader of the DMK.
With the simmering succession row coming to the fore again, the DMK patriarch was clearly at pains to explain his statement on Stalin. "Earlier, I had only said Stalin will continue my social work after me... Media misconstrued that I am naming him as successor," Mr Karunanidhi said.
The veteran leader was also guarded over Mr Alagiri's aspirations to lead the party. "DMK is a democratic party and any member can stand against Stalin," Mr Karunanidhi said, when asked whether he would advise Mr Alagiri not to prevent Mr Stalin's accession to the top post.
The DMK is the biggest ally of Dr Manmohan Singh's government.
While Mr Alagiri was deputed to the Centre as a minister, Mr Stalin has been playing a starring role as the third most senior officer of the DMK. He was deputy chief minister when his father was in power in Tamil Nadu. Recently, he was sent to a session of the United Nations in New York to hand over a party resolution supporting Sri Lankan Tamils, a politically powerful and emotive issue in Tamil Nadu. His father praised his representation by saying, "Stalin has fulfilled his expectations."
Mr Alagiri has a strong following in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. His supporters, who refer to him as "our braveheart" have praised him repeatedly for proving his strength by helping the party win seats in the South in local and state elections.
Three years ago when Mr Karunanidhi contemplated retirement from active politics in a reported bid to hand over the party to his younger son, Mr Alagiri's tough stand forced him to change his mind. Mr Alagiri had openly said, "I cannot accept anyone as DMK chief other than my father and if there was elections to select the DMK President after his lifetime, I would contest."
(With IANS inputs)