After the expulsion of Alagiri who was party's south zone organising secretary, Stalin had consolidated his position in the party with the DMK patriarch remained inactive since October 2016.
The absence of late DMK chief M Karunanidhi's elder son MK Alagiri at the Rajaji Hall where his father's body was kept for the public to pay homage has given rise to the talks of renewed succession war in the party's first family.
Alagiri, who was expelled from the party in 2014 was not seen anywhere at the Rajaji Hall when various dignitaries from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Congress president Rahul Gandhi and various political leaders paid the homage to the veteran Dravidian leader.
All along it was Karunanidhi's younger son and party's working president MK Stalin stood beside the casket carrying the mortal remains of the nonagenarian leader at the Rajaji Hall and received all the leaders. Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi, grandson Dayanidhi Maran and some other family members were also seen.
When Karunanidhi's body was brought to the Anna Memorial for burial, Alagiri was present with other family members. Again, it was Stalin who received the Tricolour in a clear indication of him leading the show both in the family as well as in the party.
A senior DMK leader who do not want to be named said Alagiri was present at the Rajaji Hall and he was sitting behind as he was not well. He, however, said there was no dispute in the family of the deceased leader as everything was settled long ago.
"There is no question of succession war in the DMK. Alagiri was expelled from the party in 2014 and he is no longer a party member. Then how will he led a succession war?" he asked.
After the expulsion of Alagiri who was party's south zone organising secretary, Stalin had consolidated his position in the party with the DMK patriarch remained inactive since October 2016.
On Wednesday, DMK principal secretary Duraimurugan, one of the senior most leader in the party, termed the Madras High Court order allowing Karunanidhi's burial at Marina as the first victory for Stalin and a step towards ruling the state.
Political Analyst Prof Bernard D'Sami said that Stalin's biggest challenge would be how he consolidates within his family and the party. "Stalin should ensure that there is no split in DMK to capitalise on the political vacuum in Tamil Nadu. If the DMK suffered any split like AIADMK, it will lose its bargaining power with national parties which are waiting to make inroads in the state," he said.
With the death of Karunanidhi, Alagiri's chances of making a come back in the DMK would be very difficult, said a Madurai based DMK leader and a one time supporter of Alagiri. He said that many of his loyalist are either out of the party or shifted their loyalties to Stalin. "Alagiri will not be able to make any impact even if he threatened to work against Stalin or join any other party," he said.
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