Karunanidhi family feud can damage DMK & allies

NEW DELHI: The ongoing public bickering within the family of DMK chief M Karunanidhi has added to the political flux in Tamil Nadu which is a major area of alliance exploration for both the Congress and BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Political observers wonder whether Karunanidhi’s son Alagiri’s public criticism of DMDK leader Vijaykanth, whom the DMK is desperately wooing as a poll ally, has a hidden angle linking to AIADMK and whether the family feud will eventually break the DMK.

Incidentally, DMDK’s estimated 10% votes in the state has made it a much sought-after ally for the DMK, Congress and the BJP. The fact that Vijaykanth has had a bitter fall-out with Jayalalithaa made Karunanidhi see in him an “enemy’s enemy who could be a friend”, said a political leader from Tamil Nadu.

Adding Vijaykanth’s 10% votes to DMK’s nearly 22% votes could help Karunanidhi somewhat effectively take on the AIADMK front. There are also talks that once Karunanidhi and Vijaykanth join hands, the Congress could also wade into the alliance making it a credible front against Jayalalithaa. With Vijaykanth slated to soon announce his chosen ally, the BJP too is trying to woo him.

Alagiri’s outburst has made Delhi-based Tamil Nadu politicians to read two possibilities into it. Some say a DMK-DMDK alliance could be the victory of Stalin’s political line and that will further cement his position as the No. 2 of DMK.

Another set of politicians feels there could be a hidden political agenda behind DMK’s in-house crisis.