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DMK mum on ties with Cong; Karunanidhi to stay in saddle

Coimbatore, July 24
Putting a lid on the succession war, the DMK today decided that it would be continued to be led by 88-year-old M Karunanidhi, and gave no indication of pulling out of the UPA coalition at the Centre.

"The Dravidian movement continues to be led by Karunanidhi," a resolution passed at the two-day General Council said, in a clear message to the warring siblings, party treasurer MK Stalin and Union Minister MK Alagiri, against raking up the succession issue.

Supporters of Stalin had yesterday vociferously pitched for a greater role for their leader, which was resented by Alagiri's followers. The issue was ultimately laid to rest by an upset Karunanidhi himself who reportedly asked the executive meeting whether they wanted him to step down.

The top decision-making body of the DMK, a partner of the UPA, also chose to remain silent on the issue of its ties with the Congress, despite earlier indications that a section of leaders was against continuing the seven-year-old alliance.

The relations between the two parties have come under strain after the arrest of Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi in the 2G scam. The council also did not name replacements for A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran, who quit over the 2G scam. — PTI