Senior leaders absentat Alagiri birthday bash

But cadre turn out in large numbers

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers and South Zone Organizing Secretary of DMK M. K. Alagiri along with his family members and party cadres, celebrates his 62nd birthday at his residence in Madurai, Tamilnadu on Wednesday. Photo: R. Ashok

Union Minister and DMK south zone organising secretary M. K. Alagiri cut a 62-ft long cake to celebrate his 62nd birthday here on Wednesday.

The Minister, who arrived at the Rajah Muthiah Mandram, accompanied by his wife, son and party loyalists, accepted shawls and bouquets from his cadre.

To mark the occasion, saris, dhotis and tri-cycles were distributed to the differently-abled.

There was a large turnout of cadre from Madurai, Theni, Ramanathapuram and a few pockets in Dindigul district.

However, Union ministers, former Tamil Nadu ministers, sitting MPs and MLAs were conspicuous by their absence.

“The VVIPs, who normally greet our leader, did not turn up…We don’t know the reason,” party workers said.

Former MLAs P. Moorthy, Ghouse Batcha, former Deputy Mayor P. M. Mannan and several councillors led by M.L. Raj, Mubarak Manthri and others were present.

A feast was arranged for the guests at the venue.

Traffic around the venue was diverted.

Cadre burst crackers and distributed sweets outside the Rajah Muthiah Mandram.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, DMK president M. Karunanidhi, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Kurian, Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule, actor Rajnikanth and many other personalities conveyed their greetings to Mr. Alagiri, party functionaries said.