Stalin Takes Over DMK Reins As Working President 

Chennai: The DMK's General Council meeting held on Wednesday appointed the party chief Karunanidhi’s heir apparent MK Stalin as its working president; a significant development as it comes amidst the political uncertainty that arose after the death of Jayalalithaa.

Only a step below the president, which is to be held by party's patriarch Karunanidhi for lifetime, the working president is going to be the captain of the ship albeit in a non-permanent capacity.

Stalin, who is also Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, is widely tipped to be appointed working president of the party in the General Council, the powerful decision-making body of DMK.

According to The New Indian Express, Stalin "has been steering the party in the absence of active participation of his father" for some time now. In fact, he "led the Assembly elections campaign last year after launching a road show while interacting with representatives of industry and other sectors to get support for his party."

It may be recalled that the General Council meeting had been deferred following Karunanidhi's hospitalisation due to lung and throat infection. Karunanidhi was discharged from the hospital on 23 December. On the topic of his own elevation, Stalin had told reporters that the decision will "obviously" be taken only by the party's decision-making bodies.

"Obviously. Only the General Council and Executive Council decide" on such matters, he said in response to a query in this regard.

With the AIADMK under new leadership of Sasikala, it appears the DMK seems set to go that way as well.