MK Stalin appointed DMK chief as Azhagiri loses fight to top post

The DMK on Tuesday appointed MK Stalin as its second president at its headquarters Anna Arivalayam in Chennai. MK Stalin’s elevation comes on the heels of the death of his father Karunanidhi, who kept the post for 49 years until his death. Party workers burst crackers and shouted slogans in support of their new leader.

After his election as the party chief, the 65-year-old Stalin paid tribute to CN Annadurai and Karunanidhi. The decision to elevate Stalin as DMK president was taken at the party’s general council.

Earlier on August 14, the party’s executive committee meeting had asked Stalin to take over the party’s mantle. The hashtag DmkThalaivarStalin top-trended on twitter with tweets congratulating Stalin flooded the platform when the general council’s meeting started in Chennai.

Stalin’s elevation as the party chief has left the dreams of Azhagiri, Karunanidhi’s elder son who was barred from the party by his father, to return to the party shattered. Azhagiri has threatened DMK with consequences if he is not readmitted to the party.