Stoutly defending his son M K Stalin's elevation as Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, DMK president and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi tonight said dynasty politics has become a common trend in Indian political system.
Asked by reporters here why several persons from the same family were occupying the seat of power, he cited the case of Jammu and Kashmir and said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had succeeded his father Farooq Abdullah as Chief Minister who had succeeded his father Sheikh Abdullah.
"Even late C Rajagopalachari's son Narasimhan contested elections and was elected MP. Will you stop your children or grandchildren from becoming journalists," he shot back, saying many children of Indian politicians had followed the footsteps of their parents.
He said Stalin should have got the post years before.
Asked how he rated Stalin's elevation to the post, Karunanidhi said Stalin would place his detention under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during emergency a greater honour than today's achievement.