Karuna writes to PM, seeks security for Stalin after Alagiri threat

The heightened war in the DMK between the two warring brothers MK Alagiri and MK Stalin is taking a new shape everyday. After the DMK expelled Alagiri from the party posts for speaking against his younger brother and heir apparent Stalin, an angry Alagiri allegedly told his father and the DMK chief M Karunanidhi that Stalin would die within three months.

Now, a worried Karunanidhi has requested the Prime Minister to provide adequate security to Stalin. According to sources, the DMK chief has sent a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking security for his younger son. Stalin issued a statement on Wednesday (Jan 29, 2014) saying those born will die someday and used DMK members to desist from burning effigies. "Anyone born will die someday. The cadre should focus on Trichy conference and elections," the statement read.

According reports Karunanidhi has no faith in the state police controlled by the AIADMK government of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

On Tuesday (Jan 28, 2014), in a statement an upset Karunanidhi said, "Alagiri came to my house on 24th January and complained regarding Stalin and troubled me and used harsh words. Alagiri told me Stalin will die in 3 months. No father can tolerate such words against his son. I do not know why Alagiri has nurtured such hatred against Stalin for many years. Alagiri should have met me in person and spoken about any issues he had about his suspension. But he has been talking to the media. He is still under temporary suspension; party will take a call on expulsion."

Alagiri immediately reacted to the developments. Speaking to reporters in Madurai, Alagiri expressed shock over what Karunanidhi said about him. He said, "The tears of my father should fall on my dead body. I am shocked at the clarification by Karunanidhi."

Wishing his father a long life, he said, "The DMK president should live long. He has said that I behaved in a way that hurt him. He could have told this after suspending me from the party, the party cadres know about me. I respect my father. I have not done anything wrong. I will always stand behind my loyalists. I'm shocked to hear the statements my made by my father. All the charges against me are false. I have not told anything against my conscience. This is the gift from the DMK party on my birthday."

Alagiri's son Dhaya Alagiri also backed his father by taking on his grandfather for talking to the media about what Alagiri allegedly told him about Stalin. In a tweet, Dhaya said: "False accusations will not last long the truth will come out soon DEFINITELY didn't expect this from such a elderly leader."

The new development has come as a shock to the first family of DMK and its cadres across the state. Things are happening at a wrong time for the party. The DMK will be fighting a 'do or die' battle in the Lok Sabha elections due in April-May. According to ground reports the situation is not favouring the party. The ruling AIADMK led by the arch-rival J Jayalalithaa is expected to maintain its lead in the Lok Sabha polls. The DMK is desperately to trying to cobble up an alliance with actor Vijaykanth-led DMDK in the Lok Sabha polls.

DMK patriarch Karunanidhi is now being forced to take a stand and side with Stalin. The cadre is expecting him to lead the party in the elections. But, he is now too busy with sorting out his family problems.

Alagiri was expelled from all party positions after he openly revolted against the leadership of his younger brother Stalin. A few days before that some of his supporters were expelled from the party.

Stalin vs Alagiri fight is not new to Tamil Nadu politics. Karunanidhi's two sons have been against each other for a long time. Karunanidhi's decision to anoint Stalin as his successor has worsened the sibling rivalry in recent times.

While Alagiri has been DMK's southern commander lording over Madurai region, Stalin has been the leader of the DMK in north Tamil Nadu and the state capital Chennai. Even though Alagiri is a powerful leader in Southern Tamil Nadu with an iron grip over Madurai region, his abrasive ways have made him unpopular.

In an interview to Tamil channel Puthiya Thalaimurai a month ago, Alagiri had categorically denied accepting anyone other than his father Karunanidhi as the DMK leader. This is being seen in the light of the growing rift between Alagiri and Stalin.

Recently the Madurai unit of the DMK was disbanded by Stalin because of differences with Alagiri supporters. Alagiri, in the interview, had claimed that he was sidelined in the party but maintained that he would be quiet.

In 2009, a reluctant Alagiri was dispatched to New Delhi as a Union Minister by his father. Alagiri, who is fluent only in Tamil felt like a foreigner in Delhi, and started spending more time back home to keep an eye on the activities of Stalin.

Stalin who controls the DMK central units is wary of his elder brother and his political ambitions. He thinks that he is the only leader who can keep the DMK intact and relevant. He has also been a favourite of his father.

In 2007, a survey projecting Stalin as the most popular leader conducted by a Tamil daily 'Dinakaran' had led to a huge furore in Madurai. The newspaper office was set on fire and there were some deaths too.

A shocked Karunanidhi had mediated a truce between two sons. The reason for the fresh trouble is ticket distribution in the next Lok Sabha polls. Alagiri feels that he should be the final word as far southern TN is concerned. He is also angry over dissolution of the DMK's Madurai unit.

Over the years Stalin has been very assertive and Alagiri feels slighted. The sibling rivalry has also divided the DMK vertically. If Karunanidhi fails to mediate a truce between the two warring sons, the DMK will have to face huge challenge in the Lok Sabha polls.