For the first time in nearly 50 years, DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi did not attend a meeting of his party's top decision-making body. The session of the General Council was used to promote his younger son, MK Stalin, as Working President.
Mr Stalin, 63, is also the Treasurer of the DMK. Though Mr Karunanidhi, who has served five terms as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, chose Mr Stalin as his political heir four years ago, the younger politician has been confined to an orbit that has not included the party's top job.
In recent months, Mr Karunanidhi, who is 93, has been hospitalised twice. His party today said that he has been advised to rest by his doctors.
After her death last month, her close aide Sasikala Natarajan has taken control of her party.
Mr Karunanidhi's older son, MK Alagiri, was expelled in March 2014 from the DMK for working against Mr Stalin, who has served in the past as Deputy Chief Minister for their father.
High Court Allows MK Stalin To Visit Water Body In Chief Minister Palaniswami's Constituency No one can become president on his own wish: Pranab Mukherjee Karunanidhi to visit cyclone-hit areas tomorrow World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage Barack Obama Wants Joe Biden To Pull Out Of US Presidential Race: Report 32 Dead In Bangladesh Unrest, Protesters Set Fire To State TV Headquarters Delhi Hospital Shooting: 3 Arrested, Juvenile Was "Main Shooter": Cops NEET PG 2024: Test Cities Out For Postgraduate Medical Entrance Exam After 53 Years, Mortar Shells From 1971 Indo-Pak War Found In Fish Pond Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.