Leaders, Rajinikanth greet Stalin on elevation to top DMK post

Chennai: Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and top actor Rajinikanth were among those who greeted M K Stalin on his elevation as DMK chief.

"Congratulations to Shri M K Stalin on being elected President of the DMK. I wish him happiness & success as he begins a new chapter in his political journey. @mkstalin #DMKThalaivarStalin," Gandhi said on Twitter.

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad also greeted Stalin in Delhi.

Banerjee took to Twitter to greet the 65 year-old leader.

"Congratulations and best wishes to @mkstalin for being elected President of the DMK @arivalayam," the TMC chief wrote on the micro-blogging site. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav in his twitter handle said, "Our heartiest congratulations to @mkstalin on being elected President of the DMK. Wish you great strength to shoulder this huge responsibility of making thousands of dreams come true."

Rajinikanth greeted the DMK leader over phone.

Narayanasamy, in his message, said Stalin was the most competent leader to pilot the DMK. "I am extremely glad that 'Thalapathi' Stalin has been elected unanimously as president of the DMK, which is a primary political party in Tamil Naduand also been the most important party at the national level," he said

Tamil Nadu BJP President Tamilisai Soundararajan greeted both Stalin and Duraimurugan on their elevation as party chief and treasurer respectively. Duraimurugan, a veteran leader, was elected as treasurer.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President Su Thirunavukkarasar said Stalin has assumed the top party post through decades of hard work by serving DMK in a host of positions, including that of treasurer. "My hearty greetings to him to achieve many more new heights," he said.

MDMK founder Vaiko also greeted Stalin, wishing him success and a long life. He called on Stalin at his residence and congratulated him on his elevation. CPI State Secretary R Mutharasan and Tamil Maanila Congress chief G K Vaasan were among others who greeted Stalin.

Stalin thanked the leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav, for their wishes.

In a tweet, Stalin said "I feel honoured and grateful to have been elected as President of the DMK party. I pledge to protect, cherish and advance the four founding principles of our party: Self Respect, Social Justice, rationalism and Secularism."

Meanwhile, the hash tag #DMKThalaivarStalin was trending on Twitter.

After taking over as DMK chief, Stalin visited the mausoleums of the party founder C N Annadurai, and his father M Karunanidhi at the Marina beach. He also placed a wreath at the mausoleum of rationalist leader 'Periyar' Ramasamy.

Stalin visited the Gopalapuram residence where his family members, including brother M K Tamilarasu and sister Selvi greeted him. Later, he arrived at the DMK headquarters and met party workers who had gathered in large numbers to greet him.

They presented him with shawls, garlands, books and other gifts.

DMK workers across Tamil Nadu burst crackers,distributed sweets and released balloons to mark Stalin taking over as DMK president.