Karuna virtually names Stalin as political heir

DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi has virtually named his younger son M.K. Stalin as his successor. Though his words were nuanced, his statement on Thursday left no one in doubt about who would shoulder the responsibility of leading the party in the days ahead. 

“Till my last breath, I will work for the uplift of the Tamil society and its awakening. The question that naturally exercises is: who after me? The answer is Stalin,” he said, addressing PMK cadres who joined the DMK at Anna Arivalayam, the party headquarters.

The statement has stunned supporters of the octogenarian leader’s favourite daughter Kanimozhi and his Madurai-based elder son M.K. Alagiri, who were very much in contention for the top post despite Karunanidhi’s apparent inclination towards Stalin. 

The old warhorse has stopped short of anointing Stalin as his heir, but the timing of his comment is significant as the crucial meeting of DMK’s powerful district secretaries is scheduled on Sunday.