Chennai: Even as the DMK today convened an emergency executive committee meet to condole the death of its president M Karunanidhi, top leaders backed the party’s working president M K Stalin to take over the reins.
The crucial meet started this morning at the Kalaignar Arangam inside Anna Arivalayam premises in which three members from each district were invited.
Apart from this, MLAs, MPs and former legislators of the party were also special invitees. The meeting began with the condolence resolution read by organising secratary T K S Elangovan. In the resolution, he recollected the various welfare measures implemented by the five-time Chief Minister.
Top leaders including principal secretary Durai Murugan who spoke at the meet backed Stalin to lead the party in the path of Karunanidhi. “Working president will soon become president,” Durai Murugan said and added that Stalin carries the hearts of Periyar, Anna and Karunanidhi and no one is there in Tamilnadu to beat him.
Former Assembly Speaker Avudaiayappan said Stalin is the one who was identified by Karunanidhi to lead the party and there is no second thought about it.
Former Union Minister and senior leader T R Balu broke into tears when he recollected his memories of Karunanidhi and said Stalin will replace Karunanidhi.
Party veteran Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan said,”Just like how Karunanidhi guided the party after Anna’s demise. Stalin will also do the same. There are debates whether Stalin can fill the void. Even though there might be differences among us. We must all come together for the sake of the party,” she said.
Party’s Chennai north district secretary J Anbazhagan said,”Though Karunanidhi was not active for 1.5 years, Stalin filled that space. Now that our leader has left us, we have to be extra careful especially when there are enemies all around us.”
It may be recalled that Karunanidhi’s elder son M K Alagiri raised a banner of revolt against the DMK leadership on Monday after paying tributes at his father’s memorial.
‘EN UYIRINUM MELANA ANBU UDANPIRAPUGALE…’
Karunanidhi’s favourite line ‘En uyirinum melana anbu udanpirapugale…’, which would strike an instant chord with party members, was today uttered by Stalin, as he started his speech at the executive committee.
The working president, who became emotional, said it was his father’s wish that his mortal remains should be buried near Anna (samadhi), and for that, he requested Chief Minister Eddappadi K Palaniswami by holding his hands, but in vain.
Later, the Madras High Court ruled in favour of alloting a space inside the premises of Anna memorial. Stalin vowed to carry forward the legacy of Karunanidhi and to achieve his father’s goals.