Karunanidhi expels son Alagiri from DMK

 

Chennai, 25 Mar 2014 (TOI): DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Tuesday expelled elder son M K Alagiri from the primary membership of the party for criticising the party and its leaders.

 

Karunanidhi told reporters, "The decision to expel Alagiri was taken in consultation with party general secretary K Anbazhagan".

 

Despite sending several notices to him, seeking an explanation for his anti-party activities, Alagiri has continued to criticise the DMK and its leaders. "This forced us to take the decision of expelling him from the party," Karunanidhi said.

 

The harsh action, though not unexpected, has sent shock waves within the party. Karunanidhi’s action comes a day after a string of his political rivals, including BJP and Congress leaders called on Alagiri and sought his support for their candidates in the Lok Sabha elections.

 

On Sunday, Alagiri spent some time with MDMK leader Vaiko, an arch rival of DMK leaders. Vaiko, a once close associate of Karunanidhi was expelled from the DMK in 1993 as he was seen as a threat to M K Stalin’s rise within the DMK.

 

Alagiri, a former Union minister, has been a thorn in the flesh for the party due to his animosity against his younger brother and DMK treasurer Stalin, who has emerged as the potential DMK heir.

 

Suspended for anti-party activities on January 23, Alagiri has been in the news in the past few days with leaders of MDMK, BJP and the Congress calling on him. The DMK is expected to issue a formal statement on Alagiri’s expulsion in the evening.