Baalu appointed DMK principal secretary

Baalu replaces former State minister Duraimurugan, who was elevated as treasurer of the party, a post held by the then working president Stalin, in the recent DMK General Council meeting. In the meeting Stalin was promoted as party president following the demise of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

Speaking to the media after paying floral tributes at the memorials of late leaders CN Annadurai and Karunanidhi here, Baalu said he would discharge his duties effectively by fulfilling the expectations of Stalin. The appointment of Baalu assumes significance as he is expected to strengthen the party organisation ahead of the general elections next year.

Baalu was elected to Parliament as a member of the Rajya Sabha for the first time in 1986 and served his full term. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1996 and went on to become Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas. He successfully contested from the South Chennai Parliamentary constituency in 1998, 1999 and 2004. He also won from the Sriperumbudur seat in 2009.

The DMK leader held the post of Minister of Environment and Forests from 1999 to December 2003. From 2004 to 2009, Baalu was the Minister of Shipping and Road Transport and Highways.