Hitting out at his elder son M. K. Alagiri, who was recently suspended, DMK chief M. Karunanidhi today said he had used harsh words against party treasurer and younger sibling Stalin saying he would die in three months.
“He (Alagiri) has some unknown hatred against Stalin. Alagiri even said Stalin would die in three months. No father can tolerate such words against a son. As the party chief, I had to tolerate them,” Karunanidhi said at a press meet here.
Detailing the events leading to his suspension, the DMK patriarch said Alagiri came to his house on the morning of January 24 and had said harsh words against Stalin. “Is it the time (6 or 7 in the morning) to come to the party chief’s house to solve your problems?” he asked.
Asked about Alagiri’s interviews in Madurai against the party, Karunanidhi said Alagiri has been giving interviews to newspapers and TV channels against the party’s General and Executive Councils’ decision (about tie-up with DMDK), resulting in undesirable political outcomes, forgetting that he was a member and also the party’s South Zone organising secretary.
“He (Alagiri) has been nurturing hatred towards party treasurer Stalin for a long time,” Karunanidhi said.
Referring to interviews Alagiri has been giving since his suspension, Karunanidhi said the action taken against him was the party’s decision. “How is it proper to give interviews and pasting posters instead of giving a written explanation?” he asked.
“Not as brothers, but even as party members, saying one would die in next three, four months in my presence is something anyone would not bear,” he said.
Asked whether Alagiri’s suspension would be revoked if he apologises, Karunanidhi said, “You have to ask him.”
He also justified the party action of suspending some of Alagiri’s supporters in Madurai.
Alagiri, Lok Sabha MP from Madurai and former Union Minister, was suspended on January 25 with the party cracking the whip, telling him that his opposition to the DMK-DMDK alliance is not going to be taken lightly.
The DMK’s South Zone organising secretary was temporarily removed from all posts including the primary membership of the party.
To another query on what would happen if its erstwhile ally the Congress came forward to form an alliance with the DMK for the Lok Sabha polls, Karunanidhi said, “I don’t want to boast that the Congress is coming to us. Forming an alliance is to be done without losing every party’s self-respect.”