DMK chief Stalin says he'll turn dictator to his party, makes waves

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president MK Stalin, soon after getting the additional charge of the party general secretary, said he will "turn into a dictator" and run the DMK. The current secretary K Anbalagan has become feeble and inactive due to age ailments. The decision of Stalin was taken at the DMK's general council meeting on Sunday evening. K Anbalagan, a veteran politician in Tamil Nadu, rallied alongside former DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi since the inception of the party in the late 1960s.

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Consolidated power

The position of the general secretary is a significant one as per the DMK constitution. All party announcements are made by the general secretary and his or her approval is necessary for key decisions. With such a consolidation, Stalin can take an absolute call on the appointment and dismissal of party members. This fact was evident after Stalin, in his address to the general council meet, said, "I will turn into a dictator for the welfare of the party, not for my welfare or your welfare, but the welfare of the party." The statement took many in the party by surprise, as per insiders. The remark gained traction on social media with many pouncing on MK Stalin for such an authoritative statement.

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Tussle likely for other posts

The development comes as Tamil Nadu prepares for crucial by-polls, likely to be announced soon by the Election Commission. Stalin has been holding the post of working president and treasurer from 2017, till the demise of his father M Karunanidhi in August 2018. Stalin will be the general secretary until a new one is elected by the party executives and general council members. Current DMK treasurer Duraimurugan is likely to win the post of general secretary in the future. If he gets elevated, chances are of strong competition between former Union Minister TR Balu and another heavyweight EV Velu for the treasurer's post. Stalin's hardline approach, according to political observers, can be attributed to this tussle for posts and power between local satraps within DMK. This could fracture the party's performance in upcoming polls.

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