TN: First family rift ties DMK up in knots

TIRUCHY: A marriage in former minister K N Nehru’s family, which as expected was graced by the bigwigs of the DMK, gave an indication of the growing conflict within the party—quite the contrast to recent statements issued by the headquarters accusing a section of the media of finding ‘non-existent’ fissures within the outfit.The seating arrangements itself manifested the growing distance between DMK chief M Karunanidhi and party treasurer M K Stalin, who was seated three chairs away from his father. Throughout the function, Stalin, who is usually seen whispering something in Karunanidhi’s ears during such occasions, never once went close to the party chief. The mutual silence between the two became the topic of discussion among party workers who had gathered to have a glimpse of Thalaivar and Thalapathi together.  In fact, all the hoardings and posters put up in the city gave equal pro­minence to the party chief and the treasurer, which has never been the practice in the past. Stalin’s name, usually seen below that of Karunanidhi, appeared side-by-side in most posters and advertisements in the evening newspapers, in an apparent message to convey that both are equal. (With inputs from M K Ashok Kumar)