MK Stalin Turns 65: DMK’s White Knight or Dark Horse?

As he turns 65, here’s a look at the ‘face’ of the DMK, and the reason he was named after a dictator.

MK Stalin turns 65 today. He is seen as the top contender for Karunanidhi’s post.

(Photo Courtesy: YouTube/MK Stalin)

MK Stalin, DMK’s working president, Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Assembly, former actor, and arguably M Karunanidhi’s favourite son. And whatever his faults may be, Karunanidhi has always been a doting father. This can be concluded from his penchant for according party posts to his family members.

Stalin ‘served’ Chennai as its mayor from 1996-2002. And after Jayalalithaa’s inglorious defeat in 2006, he became the Minister for Rural Development and Local Administration. However, by 2009, his influence was such that he was often called Tamil Nadu’s first ‘deputy chief minister’.

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But Karunanidhi’s overt reliance on Stalin hasn’t gone down well within the party. On one hand there are the long-serving party members and cadres of the higher echelons who are unwilling to accept Stalin as their leader. On the other, there’s Stalin’s brother, MK Alagiri.

Stalin vs Alagiri: No Love Lost

Over the years, Stalin and Alagiri have split the DMK into opposing camps.(Photo Courtesy: dnaindia)

Stalin and Alagiri are blood brothers. It is important to mention this, because their father, M Karunanidhi, had three wives; Padmavati (deceased), Dayalu and Rajathi.

Stalin and Alagiri were born to Dayalu. Alagiri is the muscle of the party, and Stalin the face.

It is interesting to watch each of them play to their strengths. Stalin is a good public speaker and has, over the years, developed a unique semi-colloquial style of addressing the audience. The party then follows this up with freebies and dole.

Alagiri, on the other hand, seldom speaks in public. He royally embarrassed the party during his stint in the Rajya Sabha by refusing to learn Hindi or English, and insisting that everyone there learn to speak Tamil in instead.

But the infamous concept of ‘cash-for-votes’ was introduced in Tamil Nadu politics because of Alagiri. It was later adopted by literally every state in the country.

Over the years, a form of rivalry with regard to succession ensued between the supporters of Stalin and Alagiri. Though Karunanidhi touted Stalin as his successor, his decision doesn’t seem final, since there is opposition to it both from within the ranks and from Alagiri – who is capable of making good on his threats.

Rebranding Effort Gone for Naught

‘Namakku Naame’ (We for Ourselves) was Stalin’s motto in 2016, when he toured Tamil Nadu in an open van (ironically, popularised by MGR and AIADMK). He looked younger, thanks to his tucked in red and blue shirts and crisp dark pants, accessorised with a watch and sports shoes.

The campaign was planned and executed with much detail, and media coverage, specifically social media presence, was ensured at every stage. In fact, the DMK website and YT channel are populated mostly with these campaign videos and ‘songs’.

Stalin’s campaign was not just for the Assembly elections, but also an effort to rebrand the DMK and his own image. It was to let the people know that there is a younger, healthier replacement to the ailing Karunanidhi. 

So did Stalin’s rebranding exercise yield the desired result? Yes and no. The DMK lost by an embarrassing margin, but the idea of Stalin as the people’s ‘Thalapathi’ solidified. Local campaign posters shall forevermore herald him as their ‘Thalapathi’. Turns out his act paid off after all, unlike his less than successful stint as a film hero!

Lights, Camera... Propaganda?

For those who came in late, MK Stalin also dabbled in a bit of acting, starring in two movies (Ore Raththam, Makkal Aanayittal) both in 1988, and two television series.

Stalin’s film career came to an abrupt halt after these two movies, in which he spews DMK propaganda slightly off sync. But as a politician, he has lasted longer than most.

While his rise has not been meteoric, it has been steady. With the eventuality of Karunanidhi’s death looming large, only time will tell if MK Stalin is in for happier returns.

PS: A week after Karunanidhi became a father, Stalin, the dictator died. It was to honour his memory that Karunanidhi named his son Stalin. In a public meeting, Stalin reminisced about this, and said, ‘All this is history, the history of our state.’

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