I’m aware of my stature, says Stalin on leading INDIA bloc

CHENNAI: A day after deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said several political leaders wanted his father and chief minister M K Stalin to lead the opposition front at the national level, Stalin remained non-committal with a cryptic comment that he knew his stature.

“En uyaram enakku theriyum (I know my stature),’’ he said at CNN News18’s Town Hall here on Monday, when asked if he would head the INDIA bloc. Stalin was repeating a famous retort by his father M Karunanidhi in 1997 when his name was floated as a potential prime ministerial candidate.




The question to Stalin came against the backdrop of Congress veteran Mani Shankar Aiyar’s recent statement that “Stalin could consolidate anti-BJP parties under INDIA bloc to make Rahul Gandhi PM”. On Monday, Aiyar reiterated the point at the CNN News18 Town Hall. “Stalin is best suited to head INDIA bloc. There is none other than Stalin. We can progress under his leadership,” Aiyar said.

A few days ago, Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ had pitched the idea of “Stalin or Mamata” to lead the national opposition. Referring to these speeches, Udhayanidhi said on Sunday that Stalin has emerged as a leader who was guiding the country in politics as well as governance. “Leaders are making a case for waging a democratic war led by Stalin against BJP,’’ he said at a public meeting in Coimbatore.

On Monday, Stalin said DMK has entered a new phase focused on securing the rights of states.

“State autonomy is the life principle given to us by Perarignar Anna (former CM C N Annadurai),” he said. For India to achieve real development, he said, more powers should be devolved to states. He said the report by a high-level committee on Union–state relations was shared with all political parties to build wider consensus on state autonomy.

On the upcoming election, he said it is a multipolar contest, “though there was no strong contest”. Stalin charged the Union govt with misusing investigative agencies to pressure opposition-ruled states and parties. “Let them bring ED, IT and CBI. We are ready to face them,” he said, questioning the low conviction rate in cases filed by the ED.