In an interview, DMK chief M Karunanidhi spoke of his son MK Stalin as his 'political heir'. (File)
Younger son MK Stalin has arduously worked his way up to position himself as the DMK's future president, the party's chief M Karunanidhi has said in an interview, adding that he does not miss estranged older son MK Alagiri.
That for many seemed to settle the issue of who is the 92-year-old leader's political heir. If any doubt remained.
Mr Stalin, 63, has made sacrifices like going to jail during Emergency under the stringent MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act), Mr Karunanidhi said in the interview to Tamil weekly Ananda Vikatan,
"From his prison days where he faced a lot of hardships, he has himself worked very hard and elevated himself systematically to the position of future president (of DMK).
In that aspect, he remains my political heir apparent today," the DMK chief said, recalling that his son had started his political career at a young age, running the Gopalapuram Youth Club.
Asked if he saw the "absence" of Mr Alagiri, who he banished from the DMK two years ago, as a "loss", Mr Karunanidhi said, "One has to be happy with what is there and keep progressing. Thinking about those who are not in the party now will impede the journey."
"I have nothing to say," said Mr Stalin to reporters today when asked to respond to the interview. The DMK's TKS Elangovan pointed out that Mr Karunanidhi has said before that Mr Stalin is heir.
"Our leader does not want anyone who cannot work hard. Stalin's work is wonderful," the DMK leader said.
For years Mr Alagiri and Mr Stalin engaged in a tussle for their father's favour and clout in the party. Mr Alagiri as the elder by 2 years, is said to have fancied his chances of leading DMK and had once famously asked if the party was a sect where the senior pontiff could anoint his successor.
The Madurai-based Alagiri once held the powerful post of DMK's Organisation Secretary (South) and was even a cabinet Minister in the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre. He was however expelled from the party in March 2014 for alleged anti-party activities.