Even as ousted DMK member and late Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's son MK Azhagiri is making plans for his political future following his father's demise, he has been making headlines as a challenger to his brother and DMK Working President MK Stalin’s leadership.
However, on Saturday, following a meeting with his supporters, the Madurai strongman said, “What is wrong in joining the DMK? It's my mothership party. It is a party developed by Kalaignar (M Karunanidhi) and Anna (CN Annadurai).”
Stating that his rally on September 5 would pose a threat to DMK, he said, “Watch how Tamil Nadu accepts me after this rally.”
Responding to the DMK's General Council meeting scheduled on August 28, where MK Stalin is expected to officially take over the mantle, he said, "We had already announced the rally on September 5. He (Stalin) had given a date to attend a wedding in Chennai. He didn't attend it, stating Thalaivar was unwell. When he couldn't even go for that, he is accepting the leadership post in haste. Ask them to think about it.”
When asked whom he would like as the DMK chief, in case he rejoins the party, Azhagiri shot back, saying, "But they would have already picked a leader on August 28."
Stating that he had never hoped for a top post in the party, he said, "Even when thalaivar was alive, I did not wish for a post. I can't answer who can be in the top post because I'm not in the DMK party. I should not say that as an outsider. It's their party now. Whoever they pick, will be the leader.”
Speaking of DMK's electoral performance without him in the party, he said, "Don't you already know how it (electoral performance) has been? You know well how many elections the DMK has lost and won since 2014. DMK has not won a single election since 2014."
Over a week earlier, when Azhagiri went to pay respects at his father's memorial, he said, "All the men loyal to Kalaignar are on my side."
The two men had come together during the time of their father’s deteriorating health, even when meeting Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami over Karunanidhi’s final resting place at the Marina.
In December last year, following the DMK's embarrassing loss at the RK Nagar by-elections, Azhagiri had pinned the blame on Stalin. “As long as MK Stalin is the Working President of the party, the DMK will not win any elections,” he had said.
MK Azhagiri was booted from the DMK in March 2014 following his anti-party activities.