M K Alagiri, the DMK strongman of Madurai, who questioned the party leadership in a TV interview the other day, called on his father and party chief M Karunanidhi at the latter’s Gopalapuram residence in Chennai on Wednesday morning. Karunanidhi had issued a stern warning to Alagiri in the form of a statement on Tuesday asking the latter either to fall in line of the party or face the consequences.
Alagiri had blasted the DMK leadership in a TV interview for keeping him off from all major policy decisions and slowly facilitating the anointing of his younger brother Stalin as heir apparent to Karunanidhi. He also criticised the DMK’s move to rope in the DMDK-led by actor-turned-politician Vijayakanth as an ally for the upcoming lok Sabha elections.
Though Alagiri did not speak to journalists, sources privy to the happenings in the drawing room as well as kitchen of the Gopalapuram residence said the meeting was arranged at the instance of Dayalu Ammal, his mother who is the second wife of Karunanidhi. The visit follows plea by Dayalu Ammal because Alagiri does not come to Gopalapuram when Karunanidhi is around. Usually, he comes to meet her only after Karunanidhi leaves for CIT Colony to have breakfast with Rajathi Ammal, his third wife,” said the insider.
It is believed that there was a showdown between the father-son duo and Dayalu Ammal played the role of peace maker. “Though no official word has come about the meeting, it is believed that Karunanidhi gave assurance to Alagiri that in future he would be taken into confidence when all major decisions are made. The elder son has also been told that the coronation of Stalin as party chief is not in the immediate agenda of Karunanidhi,” he said.
Alagiri is upset that the Madurai unit of the party has been disbanded by the party unit which was filled with his people. “The party leadership reconstituted the Madurai unit and filled it with Stalin’s acolytes. Karunanidhi reportedly told Alagiri not to precipitate matters and to wait till the lok Sabha elections,” said the source.