Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin elected DMK's 2nd ever President
An era had ended with the death of DMK chief M Karunanidhi, a new one has now begun with his son, MK Stalin, having taken up the mantle. The decision to give Stalin the reins was taken during a party executive committee meeting on August 14, where the "waiting prince" was urged to become the second ever President of the DMK. Here are the details.
Stalin was unanimously supported within the DMK
Karunanidhi's death had seen a war for succession erupt within the DMK, with expelled leader M K Alagiri claiming that "true" DMK loyalists were on his side, and that he was the natural heir. However, Stalin's claim to party leadership was supported by all 65 district secretaries of the DMK. On Sunday, Stalin filed his nomination papers for the post of party President.
Photos from the party's headquarters
Notably, Stalin will take office at 4:30pm
Stalin, who was earlier the DMK's working President and treasurer, will take up his post at the official, designated room of the party headquarters at 4:30pm, according to the DMK's organization secretary RS Bharathi. Meanwhile, the post of working President has been scrapped, and senior DMK leader Duraimurugan has taken up the vacant post of party treasurer.
Stalin faces a challenge just ahead
With several challenges facing the newly elected President, it remains to be seen if Stalin slides in to the role smoothly. As President, Stalin's first challenge will be to lead the DMK to victory in the upcoming by-elections in the assembly constituencies of Tiruvarur (the late Karunanidhi's constituency) and Tiruparankundran (left vacant after the death of AIADMK legislator AK Bose).
Stalin has to perform under intense scrutiny and pressure
However, that's not all. The new party President will also be under intense scrutiny and will, for a long time, be compared to Karunanidhi and his political prowess. Stalin has to perform under this pressure, and will face the additional burden to trying to sweep Tamil Nadu during the 2019 general elections, which would give the DMK some influence at the Centre.
