Was MK Stalin a better bet as CM face than his father?

Chief minister and AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa's repeated attacks on DMK chief M Karunanidhi on issues like 2G scam, family interference in governance and corruption seem to have exposed holes in the DMK's defences. Sections in the DMK now feel that it may have been a strategic blunder not to have projected DMK leader M K Stalin, who is being groomed to take over from his father. Jayalalithaa's attacks on Karunanidhi have become all the more strident with the AIADMK leader bringing up the issue of the DMK patriarch promoting his “corruption tainted“ family members.

The DMK chief, who launched his campaign on April 23 from Saidapet in Chennai, is accompanied by wife Rajathi Ammal, daughter Kanimozhi and grand-nephew Dayanidhi Maran at most meeting points across the state.As if in response, Jayalalithaa has been devoting a good part of her speech on Karunanidhi's alleged failures as CM and raised the issue of many of his family members facing corruption charges.

While at every meeting Jayalalithaa raised the issue of “family rule“ in DMK regime, at Villupuram last week, she talked at length about the various scams and alleged involvement of DMK leaders and the fallout between Karunanidhi and his grandnephews over the “phenomenal“ growth of the Sun TV group. But, nowhere did she mention Stalin even once. Asked if it would have been better strategy for DMK to have projected him as CM candidate to woo young voters, Stalin told TOI, “I worked for the party not to become the chief minister. I am just doing service. Kalaignar is our leader and he will be the CM.“

Said DMK spokesperson R Kannan, “Jayalalithaa is taking on the leader (Karunanidhi) all the time...the one person who is the tallest leader in the country . No one can match him in his administrative skills.“ There was tacit understanding among cadres and voters that it would be a dual leadership where they would get experience and efficiency, said Kannan. “This is the most credible alternative to end this menace of regime and not a strategic mistake. In fact, it is an excellent strategy ,“ he said.

Said a senior party leader in Chennai, seeking anonymity , “I told Kalaignar even a year ago that it was time that Stalin took over the party reins.“ The issue had also been raised at several party forums with supporters pointing to Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav making way for Akhilesh Yadav , who has been credited with steering his party to victory in the 2012 assembly election in Uttar Pradesh.

The sporadic rebellion in parts of the state against DMK-nominated candidates is being attributed to interference by family members. While Stalin's writ runs wide, it has been a long wait for his anointment.