The Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) has temporarily suspended its south zone organising secretary, MK Alagiri, who is also a son of party chief M Karunanidhi, from all party posts. A statement from the party called it a “disciplinary action” against the 62-year-old former Union minister for indulging in “unnecessary arguments” and working against party interests.
The suspension was for criticising the DMK’s move to suspend its Madurai unit, encouraging party cadres to not work for the party, creating confusion and making statements and giving interviews against the party.
Alagiri has been in the limelight the past few days. He was upset when the Madurai unit was disbanded and five of his supporters were suspended for putting up posters in his support.
Later, in an interview to a Tamil channel, Alagiri said he will not accept anyone other than his father as party chief.
He has often been caught in sibling rivalry with younger brother MK Stalin on who would be Karunanidhi’s political heir.
Alagiri has also expressed his views against the party forming an alliance with the Desiya Murpoku Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam, led by actor-politician S Vijayakanth, for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Karunanidhi, who is favourably disposed toward the alliance, recently distanced himself from Alagiri’s remarks against the alliance besides his criticism of Vijayakanth, who also hails from Madurai.
He had earlier directed Alagiri to refrain from making such statements.
Friday’s decision came hours after Alagiri met his father at the latter’s Gopalapuram residence here.