How Stalin forced his dad’s hands

CHENNAI: DMK insiders say party heir-apparent M K Stalin played a key role in forcing his father’s hand. While some seniors advocated a more cautious approach, Stalin and some others felt the decision to pull out was long overdue since DMK needed to distance itself from the UPA before anti-incumbency took its toll during the general elections.

Stalin held consultations with MPs and party functionaries in the districts before conveying his views to Karunanidhi.

Following the uproar over pictures of Prabhakaran’s son and the protests on campuses across TN, Stalin and other DMK leaders, including parliamentary party leader T R Baalu , felt the UN resolution provided the party with the opportunity and a reason to make an exit.

The decision is a calculated move to boost party morale and help it reap dividends in the 2014 LS polls. With the students’ protests and strong anti-Centre and anti-Congress sentiment setting the stage for a break up, the DMK decided the time had come. It was perceived that the party was going soft on its ally on an issue that could take centre stage in the LS polls. The DMK drew criticism from pro-Eelam groups for remaining in the Congressled alliance even while differing with it on the Lanka issue.

“We told Stalin that DMK was facing criticism because of its tie-up with the scam-tainted UPA regime. We told him we’ve to act before this resentment turns against our party,” said a DMK district secretary. Party functionaries told Stalin it’d be better if the party probed other options for the LS polls. When it came to the final push, Stalin convinced his father that it made sense to shed an embarrassing ally.

DMK cadre jubilant

The DMK cadre is thrilled with the leadership’s decision to pull out of the UPA. They’re desperate to shed the Congress baggage before the polls. The upsurge in Tamil sentiment over the emotive Lankan Tamil issue provides the right context. Party treasurer M K Stalin, who forced his father M Karunanidhi to call it quits, said, “Cadres are in a jubilant mood as there is a surge in Tamil sentiments. My feelings are the same as that of the cadres.” Senior leader and party MP Kanimozhi hinted that there were reasns to believe that India played a major role in watering down the resolution against Sri Lanka.