MK Alagiri, the estranged brother of MK Stalin, has said that Stalin led DMK has forgotten Kalaignar (popular name of M Karunanidhi). An angry Alagiri held a public rally and lashed out at his brother and said that Stalin will never become CM of Tamil Nadu.
“They all schemed and removed me from the party – for putting posters (addressing me) as ‘General Secretary’. For this, you will remove me? They keep putting up posters for you (Stalin) ‘Future CM’ – that will never happen. I don’t wish to be CM, but you (Stalin) will never become CM. My supporters will not let Stalin be the CM. They framed several charges on me and insulted me. I have kept quiet for 7 years and still am quiet,” said an angry Alagiri.
“I may decide to start a new party or not. I will make a decision soon or later. They (DMK) have forgotten Kalaignar, we will remind people that Kalaignar’s ideals are alive. Whatever I decide, whether it be good or bad, you must accept it. Be ready to face whatever,” he added.
MK Alagiri was previously overlooked to take over the reins of the party from Karunanidhi and was subsequently expelled in favour of Karunanidhi’s youngest son — MK Stalin. While leaving the party, Alagiri noted that he will launch a new party after consultation with his supporters.
“If my supporters want me to launch a new party, I will do that but will not support DMK. Neither have I been invited by DMK to rejoin the party,” said Alagiri.
Reportedly, Alagiri was earlier aggressively courted by the BJP and it seems that he will eventually join the AIADMK-BJP alliance either in an individual capacity or with his own party.
In the last few months, BJP has increased its activities to blow the bugle for the upcoming elections in the state. Last month, Khusbhu Sundar – one of the most popular actresses of Tamil Cinema, joined BJP after she quit Congress on the grounds of being suppressed by the high command of the party.
Also, former DMK MP KP Ramalingam, who was suspended from the party a few months ago for speaking against MK Stalin and aligned with MK Alagiri, joined BJP during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s last visit to Tamil Nadu.
For decades, BJP made no real attempts to expand its footprint in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Since the 1950s, Tamil Nadu has been descended in Dravidian politics whereas Kerala kept oscillating between the Communist alliance and Congress-Islamic parties’ alliance. After the unexpected single-party majority in the 2014 general election, the saffron party started expanding throughout the length and breadth of the country and fought the 2016 assembly election in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
In the 2016 assembly election, the party performed better than expected in both the states and bagged 2.86 per cent and 10.6 per cent votes in Tamil Nadu and Kerala respectively.
In the 2021 general election, the party is making efforts to make major inroads in both the states, with Tamil Nadu- where there is a power vacuum after the death of Jayalalitha- being a major focus. By uniting the all estranged members of DMK and other smaller units of Tamil Nadu politics, BJP can become an equal partner of AIADMK after the 2016 assembly election.
