Saturday 23 July 2011
The crucial meeting of the DMK's executive committee has begun in Coimbatore.
The meeting is expected to discuss the party's rout in the Assembly polls and decide the future strategy.
With party chief M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi and party leader A Raja behind bars, and Dayanidhi Maran forced to quit the union Cabinet over the 2G scam, the DMK will also discuss its alliance with the Congress.
DMK leader TR Baalu confirmed this morning that the party will also decide on whether to send replacements for Raja (former Telecom Minister) and Maran (former Textile Minister).
DMK decision makers may also have more to deal with at the Coimbatore meeting - a succession battle within and the disquiet arising from it.
Sources say supporters of Karunanidhi's younger son MK Stalin will seek his elevation to a new post - that of working president which would make Stalin No. 2 in the party. But the camp led by his elder brother Alagiri is gearing up to scuttle the move. Party leader Baalu, however, has dismissed reports of differences between Stalin and Alagiri as "media gossip."
The meeting will also discuss Stalin's proposal to revamp the party set up - seen as a strategy to place his loyalists in key positions. "This will also give opportunity to many younger leaders to take more responsibility," said DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan.
With party chief M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi and party leader A Raja behind bars, and Dayanidhi Maran forced to quit the union Cabinet over the 2G scam, the DMK will also discuss its alliance with the Congress.
DMK leader TR Baalu confirmed this morning that the party will also decide on whether to send replacements for Raja (former Telecom Minister) and Maran (former Textile Minister).
DMK decision makers may also have more to deal with at the Coimbatore meeting - a succession battle within and the disquiet arising from it.
Sources say supporters of Karunanidhi's younger son MK Stalin will seek his elevation to a new post - that of working president which would make Stalin No. 2 in the party. But the camp led by his elder brother Alagiri is gearing up to scuttle the move. Party leader Baalu, however, has dismissed reports of differences between Stalin and Alagiri as "media gossip."
The meeting will also discuss Stalin's proposal to revamp the party set up - seen as a strategy to place his loyalists in key positions. "This will also give opportunity to many younger leaders to take more responsibility," said DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan.
