Alagiri turns 64, his men bring Madurai to halt

MADURAI: With the DMK's organisational elections over and observers trying to decode the equations within Karunanidhi's family from the leadership line-up, M K Alagiri's supporters, especially in Madurai, seemed intent on making a splash on his birthday.
Alagiri's men who had promised to catch the attention of the public on Friday did exactly that by bringing traffic to a standstill on major roads in Madurai.
City residents were, however, thankful the celebrations started after their children reached their schools. P Perumal, who works at a private firm, said he had to seek an hour's permission when he knew that he was not going to reach office on time.
To mark his 64th birthday celebrations, Karunanidhi's estranged son was given a reception at 47 places as he drove from his house in Satya Sai Nagar to the venue, Raja Muthiah Mandram, in K K Nagar. Traffic was stalled on the three bridges connecting the northern part of the city to the south. But police insisted that the disruption was less than last year - when his supporters were intent on displaying their defiance of the party leadership after the general body meeting. Alagiri was expelled soon after that. Police said that while last year they had to divert traffic, this year they didn't need to.
DMK party flags fluttered at the receptions and the event. Though Alagiri continues to be persona non-grata in Chennai, some party leaders have said in the recent past there were moves to bring about a rapprochement between the warring sections of the family.
On Thursday, party treasurer and Alagiri's brother Stalin had accommodated Alagiri loyalists like K P Ramalingam in the party set-up by giving them key posts. S S Palanimanickam, who lost in the elections, was re-appointed as a high-level committee member.
At the function, Alagiri seemed happy that he still commanded such a support. A huge cake weighing 64kg was cut by Alagiri. "The turnout shows that he is the undisputed king in Madurai,'' said S Murugan, a supporter.
Alagiri, however, did not meet the media or make a speech, confining himself to a letter thanking his supporters.