Madurai

Feb 14 2002

Putting at rest speculation about the sibling rivalry, former C. M. and DMK chief M Karunanidhi ' s sons, M K Stalin and M K Azhagiri today joined hands and undertook the campaign for party candidate ' Vaigai ' Sekar for the forthcoming by-elections in Andipatti on 21-02-2002.

The decision to campaign together was taken mutually by the two following their father ' s strong denial yesterday that there was a war of succession between Stalin and Azhagiri.

Throughout the campaign for Vaigai Sekar that was carried out in a Tata Safari covering places like Vaikalpatti, Supplapuram and other areas, Azhagiri preferred to maintain silence while Stalin addressed the crowds by highlighting the negligence of the present AIADMK government towards various welfare schemes introduced by the DMK govt earlier.

The DMK campaign was at its peak and it seemed that there were more number of supporters rallying behind Azhagiri than behind Stalin.

While addressing the crowds, Stalin ' s speech, which was targetted at the AIADMK govt, was laced with strong criticism that mentioned about the non-inclusion of serving of eggs under the noon-meal scheme and the stopping of free distribution of sarees and dhotis.

Stalin further said there was a conspiracy being hatched to eliminate the DMK party from the State ' s political arena and strongly expressed the view that no one could disintegrate or wipe out the DMK altogether.

He also said the present AIADMK government had not continued with the welfare schemes launched by the previous DMK government and alleged that there was an attempt to scuttle the Uzhavar Sandhai.

Going by the crowds gathering in large numbers, it was evident that Azhagiri had drawn more attention from the public during the campaigning for ' Vaigai ' Sekar while Stalin was not able to do so, though Azhagiri preferred to remain silent and not speak much.