Just a few hours before the start of the DMK’s executive committee meeting in Chennai, former Central Minister M.K. Alagiri left for Madurai, triggering speculation among political circles here that he was unhappy with the party’s leadership.
However, Mr. Alagiri gave no hint of being miffed when he was approached by reporters here. “I am unwell… That’s the reason why I did not attend the executive committee meeting,” he said. Soon after arrival from Chennai by a scheduled flight, he told reporters at the airport on Monday that “there are many members in the executive committee. Not all could attend for some reason or the other. When such is the reality… why do you people (media) ask me alone why I didn’t attend the meeting? After a pause, he said, “I am not doing well and that’s why I left for home this morning.”
When scribes asked about his meeting with Congress leaders in New Delhi, Mr. Alagiri shot back, “They are my friends. I spoke with them on a friendly note. It was just a kind gesture. Do not read beyond this as I had already explained in detail earlier,” he said and left the airport.
Mr. Alagiri had met some Congress leader in New Delhi and had handed over his resignation to the Prime Minister separately, and not along with other DMK ministers. This had set off speculation that he was not taken into confidence about the DMK’s decision to leave the UPA.
After the murder of N. Suresh Babu alias ‘Pottu’ Suresh, the former Union Minister is not staying in Madurai, according to some of his associates.
Though the security for Mr. Alagiri was withdrawn after he tendered his resignation as Central Minister, the State government continued to provide security to his residence, a senior police officer said.
