Political etiquette could well prevent Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi from formally anointing son, M K Stalin, as his successor at the much hyped two-day state youth conference of the party being held here. But, the colourful posters and hoardings that invaded Nellai’s landscape were far from bashful. They hailed “Thalapathy” (commander) Stalin as the future Chief Minister and the DMK’s leading light.

A rally of thousands of partymen, dressed in white trousers and T-shirts, kicked off the lavishly organised show, aggressively hailing Stalin as the “varungala mudhalvar” (future Chief Minister). There was little doubt that the conference was more an exercise at glorifying the DMK president and the heir apparent and less to do with the stated objective of showcasing the party ideals to lure the youth.

“I am not the leader. The party has not made a decision yet to make me the Chief Minister. This is all media hype,” said an embarrassed Stalin, dismissing reports about his “coronation” at the conference. While the Marans were understandably absent at the show, “Karan TV”, the local cable service owned by the family, telecast the rally live.

Karunanidhi and several of his family members, including his first wife, Dayalu Ammal, daughters, Rajya Sabha MP, Kanimozhi and Selvi (who is married to Murasoli Maran’s brother, Selvam), grandchildren, including Kayalvizhi, daughter of M K Azhagiri, and all the union ministers belonging to the party besides the state ministers, were all present, at the rally, lending moral support to Stalin. But more important, their presence was a clear endorsement of the choice of Stalin as the successor to Karunanidhi.

... contd.