DMK succession war may end at General Council meet

DMK president M Karunanidhi, it is understood, would pass the baton to his son and Leader of Opposition M K Stalin at the ensuing party general council meeting scheduled for December 20. The prince in waiting, who’s promotion is long overdue, would most likely be declared executive or  working president. The change of guard has been envisioned in the wake of 93-year-old Karunanidhi’s ill health. 

If sources are to be believed, age related problems aside, the articulate DMK chief is suffering serious problems with his vocal cord. “The general council is mainly being convened to announce Stalin’s elevation. He will be made executive or working president so that our leader will continue to be the president and no one would feel unsettled,” a party senior, who admitted to the nonagenarian suffering speaking problems, told DT Next. 

Consequent upon elevation, Stalin may demit his treasurer post and offer the same to incumbent deputy general secretary I Periasamy from Dindigul or his confidant from Tiruvannamalai E V Velu. Though senior leader and principal headquarters secretary Duraimurugan would be the natural choice to occupy the DMK treasury, it would be given to one of the two aforesaid former ministers as Vellore strongman was only keen on becoming general secretary. 

“Anbazhagan is not interested in retiring now. He wants to continue as general secretary. So Duraimurugan may have to wait a while. If appointment of treasurer becomes a contentious issue, Stalin might hold treasurer’s post even after  elevation,” said a party senior requesting anonymity. 

However, the LoP, probably, would relinquish the youth wing secretary post, for which names of former minister Vellakoil Saminathan and Thiruverumbur MLA Mahesh Poyyamozhi are doing the rounds. 

Consolidating Gounder votes in the west has been top on Stalin’s priority and hence he may consider Saminathan, said another party source. Unlike in the past, there should be no stumbling blocks in the coronation this time, given that the LoP has wrested absolute control of the party and his father’s deteriorating health warrants change of guard at the helm.