The threat of disciplinary action by DMK chief M Karunanidhi against his son MK Alagiri for speaking against DMDK leader Vijayakanth, with whom he desperately wants an alliance for the Lok Sabha elections, is a repeat of the sibling rivalry that has been on in the party-household for some time.
If the recent past is any indication, in all likelihood, Alagiri will back off and sulk. He is very low on the ammunition that kept his dissident journey going for more than a decade. He did succeed and both upset and helped the DMK leadership and its electoral prospects in the past, but of late, he is a dented man, with some even predicting an end to his "roller coaster ride".
In the past, if Karunanidhi's dilemma had been to choose between Alagiri and his younger son MK Stalin or to maintain peace within the family, this time it's nothing short of desperation for survival. Alagari's anger is obviously not targeted at Vijayakanth alone, but also against Stalin's prominence in the party.
Alagiri after meeting with Karunanidhi in January 2013. Firstpost
However, this time the DMK patriarch cannot brook his tantrums because they directly threaten the party's only poll prospect. It doesn't want to touch the Congress given the apparent national mood against the party, particularly in Tamil Nadu where its dubious role in the Sri Lankan ethnic issue will be questioned. The only way the DMK can stand face-to-face with the AIADMK is in alliance with the DMDK. Instead of putting up with Alagiri, Karunanidhi and Stalin might do anything to get Vjayakanth in their camp.
However, despite the DMK's open overtures, Vijayakanth has been playing hard to get and kept the former waiting. Although the DMDK also doesn't have any other option, it doesn't appear to be as helpless because the stakes are not as high for it.
Karunanidhi might probably be harsher on Alagiri for one more reason - the latter's waning influence in the southern districts. For well over two decades, he ruled the DMK in Maudrai and the southern districts as his fiefdom. The leadership was happy because as the undisputed strongman, he delivered.
But now, his district unit has been disbanded and replaced with Stalin sympathisers. His stronghold of men and infrastructure has been disrupted. Alagiri also has several cases pending against him. In fact, the erosion of his stock in the party as well as among people was complete when the DMK lost all the 10 assembly seats in his stronghold, Madurai in the 2011 elections. It's only natural in politics that you lose your empire and men when you lose power.
Stalin may have neutralised the resistance of Alagiri, the political rival; but this may not be the end of Alagiri, the son, because in the DMK's family saga, returns from exile are quite normal. The Maran brothers, who had been bitterly booted out made a quiet come back sooner than later and so did Karunanidhi's long estranged first son, MK Muthu.
Vijayakanth and Karunanidhi joining hands will be an interesting spectacle. Barely two years ago, Vijayakanth had vowed to "oust a corrupt Karunanidhi" in his election speeches. He had termed the DMK government as the "most corrupt and anti-people" in the history of the state and a bulk of Vijayakanth's speeches in 2011 were devoted to slam the DMK chief and his family.
Besides the obvious uneasiness of tying up with a man who called them names, Karunanidhi and Stalin will also have to put up with Vijayakanth's headstrong demeanour. On many occasions, he had said that nobody in the state can form a government without his party. During the last election, his party did contribute to the victory of the AIADMK front and he did swagger about.
His lack of enthusiasm in responding to the invitation of the DMK is a sign of his attitude. A few months ago, he had said that he would align with anybody who accepted his leadership. His prominence is very important for Vijayakanth.
If he agrees to the alliance, which in all probability he will, Vijyakanth will bargain hard for seats and will throw his weight around during the campaign. The DMK will have to like it or lump it. Obviously, it might not have any time for Alagiri's repeat tantrums.
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