Stormy start to DMK introspection meet

Meet behind close doors saw Karunanidhi's sons stick to stands on what caused party's failure in polls.

Still smarting from the blow it received in the Assembly elections and grappling with internal crises including sibling rivalry within the dynasty,the opposition DMK began its two-day introspection on Saturday,starting with the meeting of the executive committee of the party.

The meeting,conducted behind closed doors,was stormy as expected,with supporters of party president M Karunanidhis two sons reportedly sticking to their guns over the reasons for the dismal performance of the party in the polls and the real question of future leadership.

Supporters of younger son and party treasurer M K Stalin,the heir-apparent for a long time,have been working to make him the DMKs working president,a step closer to the party chief chair occupied by Karunanidhi for over four decades. However,the elder one and Union minister M K Alagiri has made his displeasure clear,saying he preferred continuation of status quo.

The wrangling between the executive committee members was postponed for a day after senior leaders intervened and pacified the groups owing allegiance to the two brothers. The general council,the partys most powerful decision-making body,will meet on Sunday.

During discussions,Karunanidhi refused to pinpoint blame for the poll debacle on anyone,maintaining that it was a collective failure.

Both Karunanidhi and Stalin avoided the media after the meeting,while Alagiri gave a terse,one-word reply,tomorrow, when asked about details of the meeting. Senior leader T R Baalu said poll performance and the recent development of several party men facing land-grabbing cases was discussed.