Karunanidhi hints at handing over party reins to Stalin

Earlier, referring to a speaker’s comments describing his two sons, Stalin and M K Azhagiri, as the two needles of a clock, and urging them to work together for the sake of the party, Karunanidhi said, “I am not worried about which needle moves slow or which one is big or small. I am only concerned about how well the clock works. Similarly, I am more concerned about how well the party functions.”

While much of his speech was devoted to advising his son, Stalin, Karunanidhi also urged the youth to take up the cause of the Sethusamudram project and ensure that it was implemented.

Quoting from the famous Thirukkural, a collection of couplets written by Thiruvalluvar, Karunanidhi said, “As a father, I have fulfilled my duty by presenting my son before this gathering. Today, everyone has praised you (referring to Stalin).” Quoting another couplet, he said, “It is the duty of the son to make his father proud.” He urged Stalin to follow his footsteps and “make everyone here proud of you.”

Earlier in the day, M K Stalin told young cadres, waiting in anticipation for some news of their leader’s anointing, “posts and responsibilities should come to us; we should not pursue them. We will work as comrades to strengthen the party.”

Taking a dig at actors-turned-politicians, Vijayakant and Sarat Kumar, who recently launched political outfits, Stalin said, “Politics have become a part-time business for some who have floated political parties. People should beware of such politicians, who have emerged overnight and have floated parties with selfish motives.”

Karunanidhi’s daughter and Rajya Sabha MP, Kanimozhi, in her maiden speech, expressed hope that her father would ensure that the reservation Bill for women is passed in Parliament. “You give us 33 per cent, we will touch 50,” she said.