Rift in DMK: Alagiri hits back at Karunanidhi

Chennai, Jan 29: Hours after his father

chief M

accused him of threatening his sibling, Alagiri, who has been suspended as party's South Zone Organising Secretary, retorted emotionally in Madurai, and said he would like to die before Karunanidhi.

"His tears must roll on my corpse; president (Karunanidhi) should live well; he must live beyond 100 years," he told reporters. Alagiri rubbished the charges levelled against him as being 'baseless'.

"Not even in my dream could I imagine such charges.. Anyway..I take it as his greetings for my birthday..(Alagiri's birthday falls on January 30)," Alagiri said.

Alleging that representations and complaints of party workers addressed to the party high command (Karunanidhi, Anbazhagan) and sent through fax were swept under the carpet, Alagiri said that was the reason why he chose to call on Karunanidhi and explain issues.

"This is the prize (suspension) that I have got for fighting for justice... as a result of fighting for the party workers," he said. He also apprised the party Deputy General Secretary Duraimurugan of the complaints of party workers and requested him to consider them, Alagiri added. Alagiri also said the charges that were being made by Karunanidhi against him did not figure in the formal suspension note issued by DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan, which was also published in the party mouthpiece 'Murasoli.'

"The allegations made by party president (today) does not find a mention in the suspension note.. it is published in Murasoli..look at it," he said. Once again referring to the allegations made by Karunanidhi, Alagiri said he was schocked.

"Party workers know me well.. they will not believe these(charges)... I will always stand behind them." Meanwhile, posters condemning Alagiri for his alleged remarks against Stalin appeared in several parts of Chennai today. Effigies of Alagiri were also burnt.

PTI