Asserting that he would remain in the party even if he was “pushed out”, expelled Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader M.K. Alagiri alleged that his younger brother M.K. Stalin was behind his expulsion, and indirectly asked his supporters to teach him a lesson in the Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing an ear-piercing ceremony here on Sunday, Mr. Alagiri said his father and party president M. Karunanidhi was not for any hasty action against him, but Mr. Stalin, like a villain threatening the hero at knifepoint, threatened Mr. Karunanidhi to expel him.
After Mr. Karunanidhi made it clear that he would consult party general secretary K. Anbazhagan before initiating action against him, Mr. Stalin got into his car, threatened him and forced him to expel his brother, Mr. Alagiri alleged. He threw enough hints to his supporters to teach Mr. Stalin a lesson in this election.
“I will not say anything openly now and you should know what you should do (in this election),” he said, adding, “Like Ms. Jayalalithaa asking the cadres ‘seiveergala’ (will you do), I am asking you ‘purinjikittingala’ (did you understand),” he said, and the crowd replied in the affirmative.
Mr. Alagiri, at the same time, refused to reveal his future strategies. “There is still a long time,” he said when asked about his further moves. He, however, made it clear that he would not leave the DMK at any cost. “I have the responsibility to save the party and its leader,” he added.
After his expulsion, some suggested that he should float a party, but he rejected it, he said, adding he would be the protector of scores of party cadres. As his father said he would float like a catamaran if he was pushed into the sea and stand for the cadres, he said.
Referring to Mr. Karunanidhi’s remarks in Coimbatore election rally that this would be his last election, he said this should be the last election only for those who aspired for power and not for him, indirectly hitting out at Mr. Stalin. He also ridiculed his brother for his lack of articulation. If Ms. Jayalalithaa was reading a prepared text, Mr. Stalin kept hints, he said.
Earlier, Mr. Alagiri, brought in a convoy of more than 100 vehicles, was accorded a rousing reception.
