Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Azhagiri presence enthuses cadres

By S. Vijay Kumar

MADURAI DEC. 27. The DMK high command's efforts at bringing about unity between supporters of the two sons of the former Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, bore fruit with M. K. Azhagiri joining a demonstration organised by the party here today against the "anti-people" policies of the AIADMK Government.

Amid loud cheers, Mr. Azhagiri and the former PWD Minister, M. Durai Murugan, hopped in an open jeep and waved to thousands of jubilant cadres, who reciprocated the gesture.

Though the procession was scheduled to commence from the Tamukkam junction at around 10.30 a.m, workers reached the venue well in advance by all modes of transport. Hundreds of cadres gathered near Palanganatham to receive Mr. Azhagiri and follow him to the procession venue.

Rumours scotched

Meanwhile, rumours spread at the venue that Mr. Azhagiri would lead his own supporters to the Collectorate and stage a demonstration. However, he reached the Tamukkam junction in a convoy of vehicles and joined Mr. Durai Murugan, who presided over the agitation.

The waiting supporters of M.K. Stalin, youth wing leader, received the two gleefully. The Madurai Mayor, C. Ramachandran, and the urban district secretary, V. Velusamy, rushed to the venue ahead of the procession to make arrangements.

The presence of Mr. Azhagiri in the agitation, after a long gap, is seen as a "significant development" for the party, inducting some kind of rejuvenation in the cadres who had been keeping a low profile ever since the AIADMK returned to power.

Even during the community gruel feeding (for handloom weavers), organised by the party here, Mr. Azhagiri kept away.

The `sibling' war in the DMK between Mr. Karunanidhi's sons came to the fore on several occasions in this part of the State, be it at a Corporation Council meeting, in elections or other party activities.

However, a party functionary said, "There is only a difference of opinion between the two groups, and not rivalry, in Madurai.

Mr. Durai Murugan told The Hindu that the differences have been sunk and they (leaders of both the groups) have assured to respect the high command and work together in future." The party strength was revived with the coming together of supporters in both the groups. "We are now together in our mission to expose the maladministration of the AIADMK Government," he said and warned that the DMK would launch a `jailbharo' if the ruling party did not mend its ways.

Mr. Azhagiri said, "We want to remain united despite certain intra-party differences which are common in all political parties." The DMK's strength in Madurai was proved today.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Show of unity marks DMK protest
• Karunanidhi rules out patch-up with State BJP
• Divorcee plea against talaaq mode dismissed
• `Mamallapuram to get major facelift'
• Egmore-Villupuram BG line ready for electrification
• Tirukurral palm leaf manuscripts found
• CRA meet in early January to save samba crop
• Azhagiri presence enthuses cadres
• Christian council seeks protection for Tirumavalavan

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu