DMK youth wing meet another 'thiruppu munai'

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Chennai, Dec 17: The first ever state-level conference of the youth wing of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, held in the Southern Tirunelveli, signalled in no unmistakable terms, that the elevation of its leader 'Thalapathi' (commander) M K Stalin is in the offing. The two-day youth conference, held for the first time since it was formed in 1980, became another 'thiruppu munai' (turning point) in the history of the DMK as the Dravidian patriarch and party supremo M Karunanidhi dropped enough hints on a larger role for Mr Stalin.

The conference was held amid speculations and expectations that it would be a 'crowning moment' for Mr Stalin and the DMK chief's observation that ''your expectations will come true,'' solved the riddle over the leadership succession issue in the party. "Your expectations will come true. We will announce shortly when this will happen,'' Mr Karunanidhi announced last night, clearing the air, as thousands of partymen, who came for the conference from all parts of the State, cheered.

It was not immediately known whether Mr Stalin would be given larger responsibility in the party or in the Government, but it became amply clear that his stepping into the shoes of his father was only a matter of time.

DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan, the second in command in the party, also made it clear that the youth wing leader would be given larger responsibility in the party. The transition in leadership was expected to be smooth as Mr Stalin hardly faced any revolt from the senior leaders.

Mr Stalin getting elected as President or General Secretary of the DMK would, however, be known by the middle of next year, as the party organisational elections, commencing in January first week, would go on for six months, a senior party leader said.

While paving the way for his son, Mr Karunanidhi for Mr Satlin to ensure that the party discharged its duties towards the people as per its ideology, policies and programmes. ''The path is easy for Stalin, but he should move beyond,'' the DMK leader said. Taking the cue from well known lyricist Vairamuthu, who said Mr Stalin and his brother M K Azhagiri should consider themselves as the two hands of a clock, in which one moved fast and the other slow, Mr Karunanidhi said he did not care as to how the hands moved, but the clock should show the time, indicating that they ensured the party discharged its duties towards the people.

The turn out of all senior leaders, including ministers clearly indicated that Mr Stalin, who is the Deputy General Secretary, faced no threat to his ascent to the leadership from any of the senior leader.

The conference laid emphasis that youth should not be weaned away by ''film politics'' and took a dig at actor- politicians Vijayakanth and Sarath Kumar, who had recently launched their own political parties, alleging their only ambition was to become chief ministers ''overnight''.

Ms Tamizhachi Thangapandian, sister of School Education minister Thangam Thennarasu, was given the honour of hoisting the conference flag, indicating more visibility for women in the party's leadership hierarchy. Ms Kanimozhi, MP, also stressed the need for more women leaders in the party.

UNI