Chennai: In less than 24 hours, M K Stalin will become the president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and make it to both headlines and history, proving true the tagline of ‘Murasoli’ – ‘Indraya Seithi, Naalaiya Varalaru‘.
With all district heads of the DMK from Tiruvallur to Kanyakumari proposing Stalin’s name for the top post and with no other member filing nomination against him, hardly anyone has doubts over the ‘Thalapathi’ getting elected unopposed as the ‘Thalaivar’ of the party. But even seniors are clueless when asked about how the working style of Stalin would be as the supremo of the DMK.
Though M Karunanidhi, the party’s late chief, was known for his ‘democratic’ style of functioning when compared to the ‘autocratic’ ways of his arch-rival J Jayalalithaa, Stalin may not fully toe the line of his father.
To put it in Stalin’s own words, the ones he uttered during his interaction with district-level functionaries and cadres of the party in March this year – “You should put up with my autocratic style of functioning from now onwards if you wish the party to grow. Indiscipline and anti-party activities would never be tolerated hereafter.”
According to insiders, he had even pointed to Jayalalithaaâs style of administration in the AIADMK, hinting at how things would be in the DMK in future.
A senior leader in the party said, “One of the main criticisms against ‘Thalapathi’ is that he is soft and timid. But that’s not true. He believes in gentleman politics. Moreover, he is kind only towards those who are sincere and has been taking action against party office-bearers who had violated rules. All these years, his hands were tied. But things will not be the same from tomorrow as he will be the all-powerful president of the DMK.”
He also referred to the recent infamous ‘biriyani episode’. “Stalin immediately suspended those who attacked the employees of the hotel. Also, despite Kalaignar being critical in hospital at the time, ‘Thalapathi’ visited the restaurant in person and expressed regret over the incident.”
Meanwhile, Anna Arivalayam, the party headquarters, is gearing up for the coronation of Stalin tomorrow.
Magizhmathi is ready. Will Stalin be the real Baahubali?