MK Stalin files nomination for post of DMK president

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president MK Stalin, who is all set to be elected as party chief at DMK's general council meet on August 28 in Chennai, on Sunday filed nomination for the post. "MK Stalin files nomination for the post of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president," according to reports.

According to a statement, released by the DMK, the council meet, which is slated to take place at party headquarters ‘Anna Arivalayam, will be the election of party president, and treasurer. While Stalin will be the party chief, senior leader and party principal secretary Duraimurugan is tipped to be elected to the post of party treasurer.

Chennai: MK Stalin files nomination for the post of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president. #TamilNadu pic.twitter.com/XluMCNlTRQ

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2018

The date for DMK's council meeting has been announced days after Stalin’s estranged brother MK Alagiri threw an open challenge to his brother’s leadership skill to stake a claim to Karunanidhi's political legacy.

Read | DMK Succession War: Alagiri mounts challenge against Stalin for Karunanidhi’s political legacy

“Stalin is not working,” was his cryptic remark to a question from a scribe on the elevation of Stalin as the president from the post of working president that he currently holds.

“It was seen in Chennai bye-election, how DMK lost its deposit in RK Nagar bye-election that TTV Dhinakaran won,” Alagiri told media persons in Chennai after paying homage to his father at his memorial at Marina Beach in Chennai.

"The true followers of Kalaignar are with me. They support me," the expelled DMK leader added.

However, Alagiri’s opposition to Stalin is not expected to cast a shadow on his elevation since party units are firmly by his side, according to the party source. DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan has also asked all elected general council members to take part in the meeting without fail.

Read | DMK under strain – a challenge for Stalin

DMK patriarch Karunanidhi who died on August 7 after a prolonged illness, during his lifetime made it clear that Stalin will be the successor of his regime. Stalin, who had been working as the DMK chief owing to his father's ill health, held several party posts including that of treasurer, MLA, youth wing secretary and Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

(With inputs from agencies)