Ask him if he will apologise, says DMK chief who suspended elder son Alagiri

Chennai: The burn rate of one of India's most prominent political family feuds accelerated sharply today, with MK Alagiri being suspended from the DMK by his father, M Karunanidhi, who is also the party president. (Alagiri suspended by his father Karunanidhi from DMK for indiscipline)

Mr Alagiri, 62, is the DMK chief's elder son. He has been involved in an aggressive and lengthy tug-of-war for control of the party with his brother, MK Stalin, who has been selected by their father as his political successor.

The DMK said that Mr Alagiri stands suspended from all party positions and membership for indiscipline. "Ask Alagiri if he will apologise," said his father this evening, on being asked if the party would revoke the suspension if his son offered an apology. The veteran leader, thus, underscored that he does not think his son's suspension will adversely affect the party in the national elections, due by May.

Mr Karunanidhi, 89, said that Mr Alagiri will not be replaced as the Organising Secretary for Southern Districts, leaving the door open for a rapprochement.

Speaking to NDTV, Mr Alagiri said, "There's no democracy in DMK. I suspect the DMK president has been blackmailed by somebody. I asked for justice for those suspended. The party has suspended me." He said he will decide on his next course of action after consulting his supporters. (Why DMK may have self-goaled with Alagiri suspension)

Mr Alagiri announced in 2010 that after his father steps down as party President, the DMK should hold elections for its top post and that he would enter the race. That mission statement forced Mr Karunanidhi to abandon retirement plans.

The immediate provocation for the action taken today against Mr Alagiri was his vociferous criticism of the DMK's stated interest in allying with another regional party, the DMDK, headed by former actor Captain Vijayakanth. "I did not suspend Alagiri to please the DMDK," Mr Karunanidhi said.

Mr Alagiri is popular among party workers in and around Madurai.

Recently, Mr Alagiri also challenged the DMK's decision to suspend five workers from Madurai, who allegedly put up posters that were critical of his brother.