Stalin set to be elevated at DMK General Council meeting on August 28

DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan, who on Monday announced the conduct of the meeting at party headquarters Anna Arivalayam next week, said the agenda of the meeting would be election of president and treasurer apart from auditing the party’s account. 

While Stalin’s elevation would be a mere formality, election of the next treasurer, a post currently held by Stalin, has increased the cadre curiosity surrounding the meeting. 

Former minister EV Velu who was tipped till last week to be the front runner for the coveted post, which is third in the party pecking order, could be edged out by principal headquarters secretary Duraimurugan who has been eyeing the general secretary post, hoping that nonagenarian Anbazhagan would step down. 

Now that the general council meeting agenda has put to rest speculation about change in the general secretary, party sources say; it is highly likely that Duraimurugan would have to settle for the third rank in the party hierarchy. 

Velu, a close confidant of the working president and his family, could be made the principal headquarters secretary, provided it does not create flutter, which is difficult considering the stiff competition the Tiruvannamalai strongman is facing from his peers K Ponmudi, KN Nehru and propaganda secretary A Raja, who is also a close to Stalin. 

Remarkably, hectic parleying among the second rung leaders have not prompted rumours related to DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi who is also believed to have tossed her hat in to the ring. 

“Anbazhagan will not be disturbed till he retires. Duraimurugan is the senior most leader after Anbazhagan. Stalin cannot overlook him and appoint Velu treasurer. Stalin needs Duraimurugan too. Hence, his election as treasurer. Also, any out of turn promotion to Velu would give fodder to critics and people like Alagiri. Stalin might put other elections on hold to avoid unrest among second rung leaders,” a senior leader close to Stalin told DTNext.