Karunanidhi threatens to dismiss son Alagiri

 In yet another blow to DMK leader M K Alagiri, his father and party president M Karunanidhi has warned him that he will be sacked from the party if he continues to violate party discipline, making no secret of his displeasure over Alagiri’s statements against the DMDK.

Karunanidhi’s warning came amid indications that the DMK is exploring a possible alignment with the Vijayakant-led DMDK, which Alagiri had opposed.

A few days ago, the DMK had suspended its unit in Madurai, the stronghold of Alagiri, and replaced office-bearers with the supporters of his brother M K Stalin.

In an interview to a private channel, Alagiri was said to have made some critical remarks against Vijayakant, at a time when his party is wooing the actor-turned-politician to its block ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.  Reports said Alagiri had opposed the DMK-DMDK alliance. “There is no connection between (Alagiri’s comments) and the DMK,” Karunanidhi said.

“I make it clear that those who make such unnecessary and contrasting comments affecting the party discipline, whoever they are, will have to face action and even expulsion from the party membership,” the DMK president said. The directive will apply to all members of the party at all times.

A miffed Karunanidhi said: “Alagiri's remarks are contrary to the views expressed by me, as the DMK President, that I will be happy if the alliance between the DMK and DMDK materialised (for the Lok Sabha polls)”.

Such an open stand against Alagiri by Karunanidhi is seen as a setback for the Madurai strongman, who has been keeping a low profile in recent times and had even skipped the party’s December 15 general council meeting.

Alagiri has been having differences with his brother Stalin over who should succeed their father as party leader. While Karunanidhi had hinted many times that he regards Stalin as his heir apparent, Alagiri had challenged him by saying he would not accept anyone but his father as his leader.