CHENNAI: DMK’s treasurer M.K. Stalin on Wednesday took over as the party's working president, who will have all the powers of the president, at the general council meeting. Owing to the absence of the indisposed party chief, M. Karunanidhi, a copious flow of tears marked the major event. Thunderous applause from those gathered had led to a celebratory start at the party headquarters on Anna Salai, but soon the ambience turned sombre with Stalin moved to tears at the mention of his father's inability to attend the DMK general council meeting for the first time in the party's history.
The much awaited moment of Stalin's anointment came after the resolutions at the general council meeting were read out by party spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan. It was the party's organising secretary R.S. Bharathi who moved the resolution amending the party’s bylaw to pave way for a working president who will enjoy all the powers of the president. There were thunderous cheers and slogans of 'Thanga Thalapathy Vazhga', even as Bharathi mentioned the word “working president” and he was forced to stop his speech. As the boisterous applause did not stop for several minutes, he appealed to the general council members to be quiet till the resolution is fully moved.
The general council members broke into resounding cheers and slogans again when DMK general secretary K. Anbazhagan, who presided over the meeting, proposed Stalin’s name for the post of working president. He said Stalin would also continue as the party treasurer. The senior leader regretted that his long time friend Karunanidhi was unable to preside over the general council meeting and recalled Stalin’s ‘Namakku Naamey’ campaign, adding that it fetched the party 89 members in the Assembly.
Stalin, in a pensive mood, was unable to control his tears when principal secretary K. Duraimurugan, who seconded Anbazhagan’s proposal, mentioned again about the absence of Karunanidhi in the meeting. Imitating DMK founder C.N. Annadurai’s words asking his colleague V.R. Nedunchezhian to preside over a party conference, Duraimurugan told Stalin “Thambi Vaa, thalaimai yaerga vaa” (Come younger brother, Take over the leadership). We are ready to follow your command”.
As Stalin became emotional, it seemed to catch on and Duraimurugan was also reduced to tears and most members were soon seen wiping away their tears. The mood did not change as Stalin, citing the ill health of his father, made a very short speech.
