DMK opts for makeover, Stalin made Working President
Updated by admin on
Wednesday, January 04, 2017 11:41 PM IST
Chennai:
The DMK in Tamil Nadu today opted for the long-discussed change -- DMK president M Karunanidhi agreeing to make his son and
Treasurer, M K Stalin, the Working President at the General Council meeting in Chennai on January 4.
It was time for DMK to move to Gen Next though Stalin is not exactly youth. The former youth wing president has been an MLA for
several terms before becoming Chennai Corporation Mayor and Deputy Chief Minister of the State.
Stalin will also have all the powers of the President.
The elevation of 63-year-old Stalin to the top post at the party general council meet here was inevitable as the 92-year-old party patriarch Karunanidhi has been unwell for some time. Karunanidhi will remain president.
A curious spectacle at the general council meeting was the absence of Karunanidhi, for the first time in over 50 years. He has been
advised rent after being hospitalised twice in recent times. It is an open secret that Karunanidhi was reluctant to hand over his post to
Stalin. Creating a new post for Stalin has meant that Karunanidhi will stay on as president.
At the general council meet, necessary amendments were made in the rules to facilitate the new post for Stalin.
Party veteran and General Secretary K Anbazhagan announced that he was proposing the name of Stalin for the post of WP.
Party workers burst crackers and distributed sweets at the headquarters soon after the announcement.
Later, Stalin, in his acceptance speech, became emotional as he referred to his father and his indisposition. "In view of the health status of party chief, I accept this position with a heavy heart," he said.
He said he would assist the President in his work.
Hailing Karunanidhi as a leader "who gave rest to rest itself," he said such a "leader needs some rest." After his elevation, Stalin drove to the Gopalapuram residence of Karunanidhi to seek his blessings.
Stalin's sister Kanimozhi, former Union Ministers T R Baalu and A Raja, former Ministers were among those who greeted him.
