M.K. Alagiri, the expelled South Zone organisational secretary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), said here on Monday that he would take a decision on which party to support in the Lok Sabha elections after discussing the options with more of his supporters. “Leaders of many political parties, including the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party have asked for my support. But, I will take a decision on whom to support after discussing with my loyalists in a few more districts”, he told presspersons.
On his expulsion from the DMK, Mr. Alagiri said he was yet to receive an official communication from his party in this connection. “I came to know about it through the newspapers and the media. I am still a DMK loyalist and M. Karunanidhi is my leader”, he said.
The former Union Minister had a meeting for about 30 minutes with his loyalists, at which more than 100 DMK cadres and functionaries of Namakkal district participated. Rajya Sabha MP K.P. Ramalingam, Namakkal Union Secretary of the DMK, P.Ganesan, former Deputy Mayor of Madurai Corporation P.M. Mannan and 15 former union secretaries of the party took part in the meeting.
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Recalling his discussions with his supporters after the recent developments in the party, he said they wanted him to stay in the DMK. “They did not want me to part ways with the DMK or start a new political party. My loyalists will still wear the dhoti with the DMK colours”, he added.
Recalling his association with DMK strongman in Salem, the late Veerapandi S. Arumugham, Mr. Alagiri said had Arumugam been alive, he would have definitely stood by him. Asked how he could meet Mr. Alagiri when the party leadership had warned of disciplinary action against any member who was in touch with the expelled leader, Mr. Ramalingam said “there was nothing wrong in accompanying him (Alagiri). He is like an elder brother to me like Stalin and Vaiko (general secretary of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam)”.