No individual can decide on DMK’s leadership: Karunanidhi

CHENNAI - Reacting to elder son M K Azhagiri’s statement that he cannot accept anyone as the leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam after his father, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Wednesday said that no individual can decide about DMK’s leadership and it is the party that will decide on it.

“A single person cannot decide DMK’s leadership. Even I don’t have the right to decide. Only the party can decide the leader,” said Karunanidhi in an interview to a Tamil magazine.

“It is a party which will decide on who will be their next chief. Even I do not have the authority to decide. However, in a democracy every one has a right to give an opinion,” he added.

Karunanidhi further rubbing aside all reports of a friction between his sons said: “There is no friction between Azhagiri and Stalin. They know that it would only hurt me.”

Last week in an interview to a Tamil magazine, Azhagiri, who is the Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister, asserted that no one could replace his father in terms of value of capability and that nobody has the talent and qualification to fill in his place.

He, however, said there was no need to think of any one else while Karunanidhi was around.

“When I was 10-years-old, my leader explained to me about Dravidian culture and Periyar. At that time Periyar appeared to be the leader for me. Later Anna’s speech and writings attracted me and I accepted him as my leader,” said Azhagiri.

“After Anna, then, now and forever Thalaivar Kalaignar alone is my leader. There was no need to think of others when Kalaignar is alive,” he added. (ANI)