The Hindu : Crisis management begins in DMK

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 01, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Crisis management begins in DMK

By S. Vijay Kumar

MADURAI JAN 31. An exercise in bridging the gap between the Stalin and Azhagiri factions of the DMK in southern districts has begun.

The newly-appointed organiser and senior functionary, C. Kaverimaniam, who called on the DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, in Chennai on Tuesday, has appealed to leaders from both the camps to take part in a February 3 procession, being organised here to mark the Anna memorial day. The Mayor, C. Ramachandran, and the former urban district secretary, V. Velusamy, are likely to respond to the invitation.

Mr. Kaverimaniam is under high command instructions to act as a "custodian" of the party in the south and strike a balance between the groups, arriving at a compromise formula to end frictions.

As a first step towards uniting the divided cadre, it is understood, steps will be taken to bring together councillors in the Madurai Corporation. The high command will wait for the dust to settle down before reconstituting the Madurai urban district committee, say party sources.

Meanwhile, a few district secretaries reportedly met Mr. M.K. Stalin in Chennai recently to apprise him of the developments. He is said to have assured them protection of their positions, besides emergence of a "negotiated settlement" soon.

Though the uneasy calm will not last long, it appears, a couple of heads will roll in a bid to usher in discipline. Efforts are also on to rope in a few dedicated leaders, who have been keeping a low profile under the impression that they have been sidelined.

Palanivel Rajan supporters

in a dilemma

However, the situation has become rather embarrassing to supporters of the former Speaker, P.T.R. Palanivel Rajan, considered a Stalin confidant, who do not want to cross swords anymore. While Mr. Rajan has been openly saying he stopped short of quitting politics and that he will not contest in elections again, hundreds of his loyalists are in a dilemma. Still, a former MLA said: "It is not late even now. Mr. Azhagiri should make a new beginning to win the confidence of the partymen down the line. The ball is in his court and the future of the DMK depends on his action." In another development, the 52nd birthday of Mr. Azhagiri, initially planned to be a grand celebration, went off unnoticed yesterday but for posters here and there put up by loyalists.

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Crisis management begins in DMK