‘Kalaignar’s Loyalists Are With Me’: Alagiri Betrays Cracks in DMK

The rift within the DMK resurfaces with Alagiri’s statement at his father’s memorial.

Alagiri threw what can only be read as an open challenge, at Karunanidhi’s memorial.

(Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

“All of Kalaignar’s “true” loyalists and supporters are by my side, supporting me. Therefore, all I want to say is that time will tell the reasons for this.”

M K Alagiri, after paying respects at Karunanidhi’s memorial.

Karunanidhi's son, M K Alagiri, was ousted from the party and from the post of Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers by Karunanidhi himself, in 2013. The prodigal son is back to reclaim what he has always felt was his political right – to succeed his father as the leader of DMK.

The political rivalry between M K Stalin and M K Alagiri stems from their individual differences as well as party cadres loyal to the respective leaders. Truth be told, the Alagiri faction with the DMK has always existed.

Shortly after Alagiri moved to Madurai in 2008, he amassed a large following and a loyal base of party men, who helped him win massive electoral victories in 2009 (Thirumangalam) and the Lok Sabha Madurai constituency.

It was only after this that he even held an official post within the party.

While Karunanidhi never professed open support for either Alagiri or Stalin, he did have an obvious hand in shaping the latter's career. Shortly before Alagiri's removal from the party in 2014, Karunanidhi announced M K Stalin as his political heir. This announcement remained unquestioned until Karunanidhi's death.

As the DMK readies for the 2019 elections, M K Stalin, working president and political heir must now come face to face with Alagiri, minus the backing of Karunanidhi.

Here is Alagiri's quote in full;

“I have come here to express my anguish to my father. You will not know what it is now. All of Kalaignar’s “true” loyalists and supporters are by my side, supporting me. Therefore, all I want to say is that, time will tell the reasons for this. I am not in DMK now and so I do not know about the working committee meet.”

M K Alagiri