Alagiri says 'ready to accept Stalin's leadership' if readmitted into DMK

MK Alagiri, late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi's elder son, on Thursday said he is ready to accept the leadership of his younger brother and party chief M K Stalin if readmitted into the DMK.

Karunanidhi had expelled Alagiri and his supporters from the party in 2014 at the height of his fight with his younger brother M K Stalin over establishing supremacy in Tamil Nadu's main opposition party. Photo: PTI

CHENNAI: MK Alagiri, late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi's elder son, on Thursday said he is ready to accept the leadership of his younger brother and party chief MK Stalin if readmitted into the DMK. Expelled from the party in 2014 by Karunanidhi for statements against the leadership, Alagiri has recently warned the party of consequences if he was not readmitted. When asked if he is ready to accept the leadership of his younger brother if he was readmitted into the party, Alagiri said: "When we desire to be inducted into the party, we must then accept the (Stalin's) leadership, isn't it." "We are ready to join the party and work together, they are not taking us back," he added. Alagiri also said he did not know what was preventing his return to the party. "Truth will always get support," he said and reiterated that the true loyalists of Karunanidhi were on his side. When pointed out that the DMK general council had elevated Stalin unanimously, he shot back: "Is the general council alone the party? ...do 1,500 members of the council alone represent the DMK?.. the cadres are on my side, after next month's rally more will come to my side." In a show of strength, Alagiri is preparing to organise a rally in which he says over 100,000 people would take part. Stalin was on August 28 elevated as the DMK President, being elected unopposed to the top post. Alagiri was opposed to Stalin becoming the DMK President. After the death of his father, he spoke in riddles claiming that the DMK would face difficulties if it ignored him. (With inputs from agencies)