It’s son rise time in DMK, Stalin appointed DMK chief -Governance Now

It’s son rise time in DMK, Stalin appointed DMK chief

After Stalin’s elevation, it is said that now Karunanidhi would intervene in the party affairs only under exceptional circumstances

Shivani Chaturvedi | January 4, 2017 | Chennai

#Alagiri #Sasikala #Jayalalithaa #Karunanidhi #MK Stalin #DMK #AIADMK

MK Stalin, working president, DMK

After the ruling AIADMK party elected Sasikala Natarajan as its new chief, it’s time for the son rise in the opposition DMK. M Karunanidhi’s son, MK Stalin, has been elevated as the working president of the party. After Stalin’s elevation, it is believed that now Karunanidhi would intervene in the party affairs only under exceptional circumstances.

Stalin, who had worked his way up in the party, first as a youth wing leader, and then as a senior functionary in the organisation, is now the de facto head of the DMK. His elevation, however, is not a surprise. “Stalin’s elevation was long overdue. It was just a matter of time,” says Chennai-based political commentator Sumanth Raman. For DMK it is a good thing that has happened, he adds.

Till now, the 93-year-old party patriarch Karunanidhi had not relinquished his powers completely.

But, everyone in the party was aware that it was Stalin who would succeed his father. Many also believe that the timing of Stalin’s elevation is right. Stalin’s elevation was expected within the party circles. Since Karunanidhi is not keeping well and is immobile, Stalin was an instant choice. Karunanidhi’s elder son MK Alagiri is in no position to challenge him. Kanimozhi cannot do much either, says political observer BR Haran. “However, his elevation will not have any impact on the state’s politics. A meager percentage of party cadres, who do not like him and who support Alagiri may switch over to other parties,” adds Haran.

“We do see a change of era in politics. If BJP rises to the occasion to fill up the vacuum created by late chief minister Jayalalithaa’s death, we can see a new era of nationalistic politics.”

Haran also believes that Stalin may face a tough fight with the BJP instead of AIADMK, as around 20-25 percent of MG Ramachandran’s hardcore supporters may not like Sasikala. They may also not join DMK, and might switch their loyalties to the BJP. So, in anticipation, the centre would thwart Sasikala’s attempt to become the chief minister and capture maximum AIADMK votes, he says.

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