DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Tuesday issued a stern warning to his elder son and former union minister MK Alagiri to mend his ways or face expulsion for taking a contrary position on the issue of alliance with DMDK in the forthcoming general elections.
In a statement, Karunanidhi said, “Alagiri’s remarks were not only regrettable but also condemnable since they militated against his view that he would be happy if the DMDK joined the DMK front.” It said anyone expressing views contrary to the official line would face strict disciplinary action, including expulsion.
Alagari had, in an interview aired on a Tamil news channel last Sunday, said he didn’t consider Vijayakanth a serious politician and that his party should not go for an alliance with him.
Peeved at this, Karunanidhi said, “They (Alagiri’s views) do not represent the official view of the DMK. Only the DMK leadership (read Karunanidhi) has been authorized by the general council and executive committee to take a final decision on alliances. Under these circumstances, if anyone expressed any views against the official line of the party they would face strict disciplinary action, including expulsion, from the party. This would apply yesterday, today and tomorrow.”
Both Karunanidhi and his younger son and heir apparent MK Stalin have been making serious efforts at a pre-poll alliance to take on the ruling AIADMK. Alagiri’s views, the party sources say, may propel DMDK to strike alliance with the Congress or the BJP, which are actively wooing Vijayakanth. DMDK is likely to announce its pre-poll pact on February 2.
{{/usCountry}}Both Karunanidhi and his younger son and heir apparent MK Stalin have been making serious efforts at a pre-poll alliance to take on the ruling AIADMK. Alagiri’s views, the party sources say, may propel DMDK to strike alliance with the Congress or the BJP, which are actively wooing Vijayakanth. DMDK is likely to announce its pre-poll pact on February 2.
{{/usCountry}}There is nothing new about Alagiri being on the wrong side of his father and party boss. He had once been expelled from the party for putting up rebel candidates against the official ones, leading to an electoral loss in 2001. But later, on the eve of 2004 Lok Sabha polls, he was taken back into the party fold.