Chennai: The crucial meeting of the DMK general council was postponed due to the illness of party chief M. Karunanidhi will be held on January 4. Party general secretary K. Anbazhagan, who made the announcement, said it would be presided over by Karunanidhi.
The meeting will discuss 'constructive work' of the party and the report of the auditing committee, Anbazhagan said. The meet is keenly awaited by DMK cadre and functionaries as it is widely expected to decide on the elevation of party treasurer M.K. Stalin to the post of working president.
The general council meets for the first time after the 2016 Assembly elections.
Though, party leader Karunanidhi had been discharged a week of hospitalisation, he is not seen in public for nearly two months and he could not be expected to be brisk and active at the age of 92.
But, Stalin is working hard in the field and his new style 'Namakku Naamey' campaign is said to have played a major role in DMK's impressive performance in the Assembly elections. He has assumed the leadership of the party in the Assembly and continues to be the face of the DMK.
Most of the senior leaders and district satraps are pitching for a key post for Stalin and some of his followers want themselves to be elevated to state-wide posts. DMK principal secretary K. Duraimurugan, speaking at the centenary celebrations of Justice Party, had asserted that Stalin should be the leader of the party, setting the stage for key changes in the party.
Although, a few of Stalin's supporters are aiming to capture the post of treasurer being held by him, it is said the youth wing leader will also keep the treasurer post with him, even if he is made the working president.
Former Union minister Alagiri's frequent meetings with the party leader has raised speculations of his re-entry into the party and a possible post. But, there are no indications of Stalin giving his nod for his elder brother's entry as he is determined to preserve unity of command in the party.
The general council too is packed with Stalin's supporters and it will not be easy for Karunanidhi to bring back Alagiri into the fold without Stalin's consent.
But, the question of elevation of party Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi is said to be open. She is heading the women's wing will get the deputy general secretary post which fell vacant after the death of Sarguna Pandian.
The party with 89 MLAs in the Assembly will have to chalk out its strategy inside the Assembly as well as outside, to mobilise people against the ruling
party.
