Finally, MK Stalin emerges from father's shadow

CHENNAI: In the absence of DMK president M. Karunanidhi for his 94th birthday function, the celebrations on June 3 will set the stage for party working president M.K. Stalin to hog the limelight at the national political scenario as a key leader of an emerging national alliance.

The 64-year-old leader, who was in the shadow of his father for a long time, will take the centrestage in the diamond jubilee of Karunanidhi’s Assembly entry along with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury.

Though, Stalin has shared the dais with national leaders earlier, the focus was always on Karunanidhi. This time the veteran leader’s image could be in the background of the stage and his illuminated cut outs could adorn all sides of the function venue, along with those of Stalin. The celebration is certain to dynamically convey the DMK’s power transition to the national leaders who share the dais with Stalin, besides highlighting him as the party’s face at the national political arena.

The names of party’s ageing stalwart and general secretary K. Anbazhagan and principal secretary K. Duraimurugan, besides district secretary J. Anbazhagan who is the organiser of the public meeting,  are mentioned.

Analysts feel this is an ideal situation for Stalin to emerge as a key leader of a national alliance. Political commentator ‘Aazhi’ Senthilnathan said “The diamond jubilee celebrations will certainly amplify Stalin’s recognition and importance at the national level. It is a big opportunity for him to build a national alliance and play a key role in national politics”.

Recalling the role of Karunanidhi in building national tie-ups from 1989 to 2009, he said existing political circumstances had provided such an opportunity to Stalin. After the 2G scam, the DMK acquired a negative image and isolation at the national level with no party other than Congress willing to align with it. The circumstances had changed and the attendance of Congress and Communist leaders, besides leaders of regional parties at the DMK function would signal a change in the national scenario two years ahead of the Parliament elections, he said.

Besides Rahul Gandhi and Nitish Kumar, RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI national secretary D.Raja, IUML national president K.M. Kader Mohideen and Rajya Sabha leader of Trinamool Congress Derek O’brien would attend the function.