DMK chief Karunanidhi praises son Stalin, says no 'gap' between them

CHENNAI: DMK patriarch Karunanidhi today praised party treasurer and son Stalin, while refuting claims of differences between the two.

"I had said while naming him as Stalin that the name stood for iron man," Karunanidhi said reminiscing the reason for christening his son as Stalin at a meet here which saw functionaries from Vaiko-led MDMK joining DMK.

"I had said Stalin would demonstrate through his action whether he is an iron man or not and he has shaped up like Stalin (Russian leader) himself," he said to a thunderous applause.

Stalin participated in the meet taking a break from his pre-election campaign 'Namakku Name' (we for ourselves) and Karunanidhi praised him for his work.

"He (Stalin) has done his duty well, irrespective of rain or shine, day or night. I am doing the duty of welcoming him here not only as a father but also as party president " he said referring to Stalin's campaign seeking to catapult DMK to power again in next year's Assembly election.

Addressing Stalin formally in Tamil, Karunanidhi said, "He is my son after all, and if I address him formally it may seem like a gap."

"No one needs to think that there is such a gap and not (try to) use it (gap) by thinking so. It is a little overboard to address him in formal terms, he is my son after all," he said.

"It is a matter of pride for me that he, who had weathered many storms in the DMK's saga of sacrifice, participated in this meet," he added.