Chennai: A day after DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin welcomed the allocation of Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa’s portfolios to Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam, party leader M. Karunanidhi raised questions over the legality of the move, bringing out the contradictions between the two leaders on a major issue.
This is not the first time in recent weeks, the two leaders of the DMK which used to take pride in party discipline are coming out with conflicting views. Their opinions on the same subject expressed through statements on the same day clearly show that they are not on the same page.
Earlier, the two leaders were speaking in different voices on the type of interim government in the state. Stalin, who opened the subject, wanted an interim or deputy Chief Minister. But, the party leader came out with a statement the very next day favouring ‘suitable arrangements as per law’. Karunanidhi refrained from demanding an interim Chief Minister and left the kind of arrangement open and undefined.
The ruling AIADMK feels that it is the result of the cold war between the two leaders for the party’s control and greed to seize the Chief Minister’s chair, if there is an opportunity. While Stalin wants to take over the reins of power in the DMK, Karunanidhi who wants to bid for Chief Minister’s chair again wants to stay at the helm of the party, they opine.
AIADMK spokesperson C.R. Saraswathi said “While Stalin is welcoming the allocation of Amma’s portfolios to Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam, Karunanidhi is objecting to it. Even in the Cauvery issue, the two leaders gave different opinions. This is the result of the family dispute in the DMK to control the party”.
Karunanidhi’s bitter critic for over four decades, ‘Panrutti’ S. Ramachandran, who is the organising secretary of AIADMK is more harsh at the DMK patriarch. He attributes the cold war to the unquenchable greed for power in the DMK. “Karunanidhi will be silent only if he is made the Chief Minister. It is better to ignore his views”, he said.
When Stalin was holding talks with TMC leader G.K. Vasan for alliance in the local body polls, the party leadership declared that the present alliance would continue, closing the doors for TMC.
Stalin’s inability to admit Vasan, triggered questions over his role and relevance in the DMK, forcing him to prove his clout and authority within the DMK.
