Genuine DMK cadres with me, says MK Alagiri

Madurai:  Days after DMK carried out a revamp of the party set up in southern districts, expelled leader M. K. Alagiri on Thursday claimed genuine cadres were with him and took a dig at his brother M. K. Stalin, dubbing him as a “non-working president”. The former union minister, who had been lying low for a long time, chose the occasion of a wedding of a DMK functionary and his supporter Madurai Veeran near here to air his views on the happenings in the party.

Madurai-based Alagiri, elder son of DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi, was sacked from the party ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections for alleged indiscipline. Arriving for the wedding at Palamedu after a rousing reception given by party workers on his way, he said those occupying organisational posts were sticking to the party only for the sake of the positions and did not work for the party. He claimed that genuine workers of the party were with him.

Despite his expulsion, Alagiri, who was the DMK’s organising secretary of the south zone, enjoyed considerable clout among the middle and lower level cadres of the party many of whom respected him for his leadership qualities and ability to mingle with the grassroot workers.

Without naming Stalin, Alagiri said, “A non-working president is occupying the post of working president in the party in Chennai.”

His observations could cause embarrassment to the party leadership which is keen on a revival of its fortunes ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls after back-to-back defeats in assembly elections and rout in the 2014 Parliamentary polls. DMK had also forfeited deposit in the December 2017 byelection to RK Nagar assembly constituency. Referring to the grand welcome given to him, Alagiri said “I recall old memories...when I was given similar reception by the party cadres. I was wondering whether I am coming for a party function or a private function.” Alagiri had played a crucial role as the South Zone organising secretary of the party and was credited for several electoral victories of the party in the past.

However, after the 2011 assembly elections strains had developed between him and his father as Alagiri was involved in a sibbling rivalry with Stalin, culminating in his expulsion in March, 2014. Alagiri had said he would not accept anybody other than Karunanidhi as his leader.