Alagiri meets dad again, avoids talking politics

CHENNAI: DMK chief M. Karunanidhi's ailment caused by drug allergy appears to have produced a 'side effect'; it's bringing closer his children, including the 'rebellious' Alagiri. The 'prodigal' son came from Madurai to spend nearly 30 minutes with Karunanidhi though sources revealed that he needed some prodding by mother Dayalu Ammal and sister Selvi before venturing to the nonagenarian's bed side.

Friday saw all the Karuna siblings land at his Gopalapuram residence, one after another, to spend time with him. First to arrive was Alagiri, who came with wife Gandhi. It was his second meeting with his father after the latter announced Stalin as his political heir. The earlier trip was quite brief but this one saw Alagiri a bit more relaxed, even interacting with some DMK functionaries present there.

Party Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi came soon after Alagiri's arrival, followed by Tamilarasan and Selvi. Former Union minister A. Raja was another visitor to the recuperating party chief. Party treasurer Stalin chose to come after Alagiri's departure. Though his trip this time to Gopalapuram appeared relaxed and his interactions with people present cordial, there was no indication that Alagiri might get the nod to return to the party, from which he was banished at the peak of his rebellion during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. He has been keeping a low profile and avoiding making political statements for the past few months, making it clear he wanted to get back into the good books of his father.

When reporters tried stopping him with questions as he emerged from his father's house, Alagiri declined to speak politics and ducked a question on the by-election at Tirupparankundram (Madurai district). "Thalaivar (leader) is doing fine", he kept saying before his car drove away. It is clear that Alagiri will not create problems for the DMK candidate P. Saravanan at Tirupparankundram, though he had been handpicked by Stalin whom he for long considered his rival. However, he is unlikely to campaign for the DMK in the by-poll. It is said that he might even avoid staying in Madurai during the election and might go abroad for a few weeks.