Chennai:
Another chapter in the succession saga scripted in Tamil Nadu politics. The war of the sons is out in the open. Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's older son and Union Minister MK Azhagiri now says that he cannot accept anyone else as a leader even after Karunanidhi.
In an interview to a Tamil magazine, Azhagiri said there was no one who had the talent and qualification to fill his father's place.
Asked whom he would accept as the DMK leader after Karunanidhi, Azhagiri said: When I was 10-years-old, my leader explained to me about Dravidian culture and Periyar. At that time Periyar appeared to be the leader for me. Later Anna's speech and writings attracted me and I accepted him as my leader. After Anna, then, now and forever Thalaivar Kalaignar alone is my leader."
He said there was no need to think of others when "Kalaignar is alive".
And added: "Still after Kalaignar I will not accept anyone as my leader. I don't think there's anyone who has the talent and qualification to fill in his place."
Who, among Karunanidhi's two poltico sons, will inherit his legacy and lead the DMK has been the big question in Tamil Nadu for some time now.
(Read: Karuna's rising sons)Since early this year, and after 85-year-old Karunanidhi had hinted at retirement, Azhagiri and brother Stalin have tried to be very politically correct. They have ruled out their father's retirement from politics, vowed to work together as "a double-barrel gun" to strengthen the party and repeatedly said there is no sibling war. But the strain is for all to see and best mirrorred by the efforts of their supporters.
(Read: Karunanidhi says wait till June for retirement plan)
A magazine had recently projected Stalin as the next chief minister.
Then, on Azhagiri's birthday, posters read: Happy birthday Azhagiri, CM. The CM stood for Chemical Minister, but left few in doubt what the supporters were really alluding to.
Karunanidhi himself had given rise to much speculation when he stated that "Stalin should continue the works to be left by me and Perasiriyar (DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan)." Younger son Stalin was also elevated as Deputy Chief Minister last year.
(Read: Paa knows best, says Stalin)Azhagiri, meanwhile, is said to be unhappy at the Centre and wants to play an active role in state politics. The latest interview fits in with that ambition.
For now, patriarch Karunanidhi will only say on the succession issue: "I don't know what's after me; not necessary to discuss that." But the party denies a succession war. DMK spokesperson TKS Ilangovan said: "I don't think there is a tussle for between M K Azhagiri and M K Stalin for DMK's leadership."
He added that, "I don't know the context in which M K Azhagiri had spoken. The DMK is competent to choose its leader."