File photo: DMK chief M Karunanidhi with his younger son Stalin at a party meeting
The stand-out line in today's episode of the family feud in the DMK was delivered by MK Stalin, who declared, "Everyone who is born has to die someday."
The comment is not a study in profundity. It's a retort to his elder brother, MK Alagiri, who reportedly forecast Mr Stalin's death "within the next three or four months" in a conversation held recently with their father and DMK chief M Karunanidhi. (
Alagiri said brother Stalin would die, reveals father M Karunanidhi)
The prediction was divulged yesterday by Mr Karunanidhi, 89, as he explained his anguish over Mr Alagiri's "hatred" for his sibling. "How can a father tolerate this?" Mr Karunandhi asked reporters.
On Friday, Mr Karunanidhi suspended Mr Alagiri from the DMK for indiscipline. The penalty comes after Mr Alagiri has expended years trying to displace his brother as their father's chosen political heir. (
Alagiri says no democracy in the DMK after his father suspends him)
Mr Alagiri's infractions have been considerable, but the immediate provocation for his suspension was his open criticism of an alliance that Mr Stalin was trying to nurture with another regional powerhouse, the DMDK.
Mr Alagiri has said the punishment shocked him and is unwarranted. Mr Stalin today urged supporters not to burn effigies of his brother.
Mr Stalin is guarded by paramilitary commandos after an alleged assassination attempt at a railway station in 2006 in Tamil Nadu.
Mr Alagiri is popular and powerful in and around Madurai in Southern Tamil Nadu. Over recent years, the rivalry with his brother has created two distinct camps within the DMK, which has been distracting for a party that was voted out of power in 2011, and is now finalising its strategy for the approaching national election. (
Alagiri's suspension may hurt the DMK in southern Tamil Nadu)
While the DMK was a part of the PM's coalition government, Mr Alagiri was reluctantly deputed as a Union minister to Delhi, a move that allowed his father to position Mr Stalin as his understudy in Tamil Nadu.