Picture Courtesy : News X
M K Stalin was elected the new president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazagham unopposed. The 65-year-old’s elevation comes about three weeks after the death of his father M. Karunanidhi on August 7, and amidst threats by his elder brother and expelled DMK leader M.K. Alagiri that the party will have to face “consequences” if he was not re-admitted into its fold.
DMK principal secretary Durai Murugan was elected treasurer, succeeding Stalin, a post Stalin vacated recently in view of his proposed elevation.
Chants hailing Stalin as “Thalapathy” (Commander) and loud applause rented the Kalaignar Arangam where the meeting was being held.
In his maiden address to the General Council after his election, Stalin asked the party cadre to teach a lesson to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government, accusing it of trying to polarise the country.
“The Narendra Modi government is trying to paint the nation in the colour saffron (a symbol of Hindutva). Let’s teach it a lesson,” he said.
Targeting the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government in Tamil Nadu, he called it a “spineless” dispensation which needed to be “thrown out”.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi wished M K Stalin on his elevation in a tweet
Congratulations to Shri M K Stalin on being elected President of the DMK. I wish him happiness & success as he begins a new chapter in his political journey. @mkstalin #DMKThalaivarStalin
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 28, 2018
West Bengal chief Minister Mamata Banerjee too sent her best wishes to M K Stalin
Congratulations and best wishes to @mkstalin for being elected President of the DMK @arivalayam
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 28, 2018
