MDMK men join DMK

Chennai, Nov 6 (UNI) More than 1,500 volunteers of the Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK), led by party's south Chennai officebearer A S Raji, today quit the party and joined the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).

The volunteers, including more than 20 office bearers joined the DMK in the presence of party president and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi at Anna Arivalayam, party headquarters.

DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan, Treasurer Arcot N Veerasamy, Principal Secretary Duraimurugan and Organising Secretary T K S Elangovan were among others present on the occasion.

Welcoming the newcomers, Mr Karunanidhi said he was happy that though it was belated, the workers have come back to their parent party. ''I will consider you all as my brethern and you are all members of the DMK family,'' he said.

Referring to naming some of the welfare associations run by the MDMK cadre after youth wing leader M K Stalin, Mr Karunanidhi objected to re-naming the ''KPK Memorial Welfare Association'' as ''Stalin Manram.'' He said the late K P Kandasamy, who had served as Minister in the DMK Government, had been in a confused state of mind after some mischievous elements tried to change his mind, but never stood against the DMK.

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