As DMK chief Karunanidhi recuperates from his recent illness, he has been getting an unexpected repeat visitor, his estranged son MK Alagiri, triggering speculation that the Madurai strongman will rejoin the party. Karunanidhi has been ill for several days now, and while his condition is not severe, it seems to have made for a good opportunity for his Madurai-based elder son to reconnect with the party patriarch.
Alagiri was expelled from the party for working ‘against the interests of the party’, and the party now perceives MK Stalin as the de facto heir.
According to media reports, Alagiri has been spotted at least eight times at Karunandhi’s Gopalapuram residence, and three times in just the last two weeks. On Saturday, he met his father yet again, which has sent DMK cadre in a tizzy, wondering if a reunion is impending.
DC reports,
“The regular meetings had triggered speculations of Alagiri's return to the party, after the bypolls to three seats, with the support of the rest of the family. It is said Alagiri is keen on pushing his son Durai Dayanidhi into the DMK trust, while the other members of the family want Alagiri to have a party post as well.”
TNIE had earlier reported,
“Party officials said that if things move in the right direction, Alagiri may make his re-entry into the party after the November 19 polls. However, Alagiri’s demand for a berth for himself and his children in the trusts controlled by the DMK with a say in the affairs of management will not be conceded by Stalin, according to sources.”
The DMK trusts are believed to hold property worth Rs. 3000 crores, according to TNIE.
However, speaking to TOI, Alagiri denied his visits to meet his father were political, but said that the next CM of TN will be Karunanidhi.
TOI reported,
“the former Madurai strongman dismissed such rumours, saying it had nothing to do with politics nor had it anything to do with trying to get his son Durai Dhayanidhi into the DMK trusts. “I have no motive other than to check on my father. I don't want to react to media speculation,” he said.”
However, sources in the DMK state that MK Stalin is not keen on allowing Alagiri to return to the party.