Party workers rejoice, see future in leader

The moment DMK headquarters secretary R S Bharathi announced, at 10.30am, that M K Stalin would be the new president, partymen set off fireworks on the crowded campus as well as on Anna Salai. Others released balloons with Stalin’s visage and distributed sweets. In Madurai, considered the fiefdom of Stalin’s older brother M K Alagiri, and a few southern districts, the celebrations were comparatively low-key.

In Chennai, many recalled Stalin’s meeting with party workers a few months ago. “I am a member of the general council from Villupuram. We wanted

Stalin

to take charge of the party as he is only leader among the big parties in the state who is known to the public. We are ready to work under him. He is our future,” said M Ramu, a carpenter from a village in Villupuram district.

For S Geetha of Cuddalore district, the meeting with Stalin in Chennai early this year was a great opportunity. “We spoke our mind and he listened to us. It gave us fresh belief that the party is safe in Stalin’s hands,” she said.

While senior partymen were more restrained, merely holding up photos of Stalin’s family members with Karunanidhi as well as with other party leaders, younger workers and functionaries broke into dance.

At bus stands and market places in Madurai and some of the southern districts, party workers went around distributing sweets to members of the public and congratulating each other. “We will have a bigger celebration when he comes here, or after our district secretaries return from Chennai,’’ said Somasundaram a worker.

In some villages, a few party workers distributed sweets and set off fireworks, while many were glued to TV sets, watching the ‘coronation’ live from Chennai. In Tuticorin, a group led by party urban secretary A Ravi distributed sweets and set off fireworks in many parts in the city, including at Gandhi Bazaar and Kamarajar bus stand. The celebrations were a bit muted in Dindigul and Theni districts, with former urban district secretary Arivalagan, party members Dandapani, Balakrishnan and others quietly distributing sweets to people on Kamarajar Salai in Dindigul.