Stalin may contest from father’s seat Tiruvarur

Even as the cadre were collecting applications from party headquarters Anna Arivalayam on Tuesday, a crucial meeting was taking place at Stalin’s residence, discussing the pros and cons of fielding him in Tiruvarur Assembly seat vacated by his late father M Karunanidhi.

While DMK leaders told the media that the push for Stalin had come from party seniors like principal headquarters secretary TRBaalu, sources revealed that Stalin had personally expressed interest on Monday evening when the EC announced poll schedule.

This would be the first bypoll Stalin would be facing since taking over the reins of the DMK. Interestingly, Stalin’s sister Selvi ‘s and DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi’s names were also doing the rounds but ‘advisers’ were against it, sources said.

However, a DMK senior, requesting anonymity said, “No party, including the AIADMK has a candidate as good as our party chief. The entire rank and file will work in full force in Tiruvarur if he contests, but it is an unnecessary risk. Also, why should we invest all our resources in a bypoll? We can field a strong candidate.”

Party treasurer Durai Murugan downplayed the issue and said a candidate would be selected only after an interview and they had only discussed the Assembly session which opens with Governor’s address on Wednesday.