Chennai: DMK working president M K Stalin today filed nomination for the post of party president. His nomination was proposed by secretaries of 65 districts.
Earlier, Stalin sought the blessings of party general secretary M K Anbhazhagan and placed the papers on the memorial of his father
M Karunanidhi as a mark of respect before leaving for Anna Arivalayam.
Following Karunanidh’s demise on 7 August, elections were announced to select his successor. Stalin resigned his treasurer’s post.
At the general council meeting of the party to be held on 28 August, president and treasurer will be elected.
Stalin submitted his nomination papers to organisational secretary R S Bharathy. He was accompanied by senior leaders including T R Baalu, I Periasami, V P Duraisamy and K Ponmudi.
In the morning, Stalin visited Gopalapuram residence where Karunanidhi lived and paid floral tributes to his portrait. He later visited his father’s memorial and drove to Anbhazhagan’s residence.
Senior leader and former Minister Durai Murugan filed papers for the post of treasurer. After Annadurai’s demise, Karunanidhi held the post of party chief for 49 years. And the treasurer’s post was held by Karunanidhi, MGR, Sadiq Basha, Arcot Veersamy and Stalin.
Meanwhile, expelled DMK leader and Stalin’s elder brother M K Alagiri on Saturday fired a fresh salvo claiming the party would face a ‘threat’ after his 5 September Chennai rally, expected to be a show of strength by him.
Days after claiming that all loyal workers were with him, the former Union Minister also appeared to be reaching out to his estranged brother M K Stalin to facilitate his re-entry into the party, saying he never hankered after any post.
Karunanidhi had expelled Alagiri and his supporters from the party in 2014 at the height of his fight with his Stalin over establishing supremacy in the party.
“You please wait till 5 September when we are organising silent rally to pay homage at the memorial of thalaivar (leader)… You will know how the party men accept me and want me there (party),” he told reporters in Madurai.
The DMK would definitely face ‘threat’ following the rally. “Even rivals had appreciated my election work..and organisational skills. Section of DMK leaders will understand me at least now,” he asserted.
He was apparently referring to his role in ensuring the success of DMK in by-elections in southern Tamilnadu during the DMK’s 2006-11 rule. Earlier, he held a consultative meeting with his supporters for the rally.