Putting at rest speculation about his participation in the DMK’s General Council meeting here, senior leader and Union Minister, Mr M.K. Alagiri, arrived today for the crucial gathering, set to discuss the party’s strained ties with Congress and other issues.

Speculation was rife that Mr Alagiri, elder son of DMK President, Mr M. Karunanidhi, may boycott the meeting following reports that a section in the party wanted elevation of his younger brother Mr M.K. Stalin to pave way for him to take over the mantle.

Mr Alagiri has maintained that the 87-year-old Karunanidhi was healthy enough to continue to lead the party and there was no need to replace him.

On his arrival in the city, Mr Alagiri checked into the hotel where Mr Karunanidhi is staying.

Mr Alagiri’s supporters are upset since their leader’s pictures found no place in the posters put up across the city for the meeting of the General Council, the top decision making body of the DMK.

Tomorrow’s meeting, the first after the DMK’s debacle in the Assembly elections in April, is expected to give a new direction to the party amidst criticism over first family’s domination and strained relationship with Congress in the wake of continued incarceration of Ms Karunanidhi’s daughter Ms Kanimozhi in the 2G scam.

Ahead of the meeting, DMK Parliamentary Party leader, Mr T.R. Baalu, said the General Council and preceding Executive Committee meeting this evening would discuss ‘everything’, including the party’s ties with the Congress.

Replying to a specific question whether the meeting would discuss DMK’s relationship with Congress, he told reporters here “it will also be discussed”.

“Everything”, including the DMK-Congress relationship and Cabinet berths (offered by the Prime Minister) would be discussed at the meeting, Mr Baalu said.

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