Tamil Nadu: Congress concern at ‘succession war’ in DMK

The Congress leadership in New Delhi is watching with concern the resurfacing of the “succession war” in the key ally of the UPA government, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Tamil Nadu has a year to go for the next assembly poll.

At the centre of the row is the ageing DMK Chief Minister M. Karunaidhi’s two sons, M.K. Alagiri and M.K. Stalin. Karunanidhi who is quite aware of the sibling political rivalry, has a soft corner for Stalin whom he has been grooming as the next DMK leader to succeed him. That was the idea of sending Alagiri who is known for his shrewd strategy in fighting polls and winning them, against the main rival party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) to New Delhi as a Cabinet Minister. He is a force to reckon with in the southern regions of Tamil Nadu and virtually rules Madurai with his vocal supporters.

By anointing Stalin as Deputy Chief Minister, Karunanidhi made it clear who will succeed him. But it seems Alagiri is not ready to take his being sidelined lying down. His interview to a magazine he frankly said, he would accept only his father as leader, suggesting thereby, he would throw his hat in the ring if Karunanidhi were to vacate his CM seat on health grounds.

Significantly, he was quoted as saying: ‘‘It’s totally unwarranted to look for a successor when Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) is alive. Still, looking at the possibility of DMK leadership in the post-Kalaignar era, I don’t find anybody with the eligibility and capacity to replace him. After Anna (DMK founder C N Annadurai), Kalaignar has been, and will be, my only leader. I won’t accept anybody else as my leader.’’

The DMK leadership was guarded in its reaction to Alagiri outburst. Karunanidhi, preparing to leave Chennai for Pennagaram to campaign for an assembly by-election, sidestepped the issue. ‘‘You ask Alagiri,’’ he said. Asked about Alagiri’s ‘‘post-Karunanidhi’’ reference, he replied in his usual cryptic manner, ‘‘I don’t know which year that would be from.’’

It is open secret in New Delhi political circles, that Alagiri is not too happy to be a Central minister, devoid of the adulation he is used to in his region of influence in Madurai and nearby areas. In fact, he spends more time in his home state than in the Capital.

Congress leaders have in private been critical of Alagiri keeping off important meetings in which his presence is expected and staying out of the city even during Parliament session at times. It is also true that Alagiri has been unable to strike a rapport with the Congress leaders, partly due to communication problems, unlike his father.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi hold him in high esteem and recently lauded the CM’s unqualified support for the Women’s Reservation Bill.

Alagiri’s plea to answer questions in Tamil in the Lok Sabha too did not find a favourable response with the result that his MoS handles most of the queries relating to his Chemicals and Fertiliser Ministry.

On the other hand, Stalin has a good rapport with central Congress youth leaders like Rahul Gandhi. At the time of swearing in of the UPA II Manmohan Singh team, it was Stalin who sat next to Rahul Gandhi prominently, briefing him about the background of new DMK ministers.

Though the Congress would not like to interfere in the internal affairs of a friendly ally like the DMK, it has definitely reasons to be worried over who would be the next DMK leader, and whether the party will stay united because of the rivalry between Alagiri and Stalin.

- Asian Tribune -