The party is expected to hold intra-party elections later this year where Stalin is likely to be elevated to the post of the president. This is the second time in a few days that Karunanidhi has made public his wish. Karunanidhi started on a defensive note, claiming that his comments on Thursday that Stalin would continue his work was in reference to how his family was supporting him in working for the society. However, it was maliciously interpreted by a section of the media that Stalin has been chosen as the party chief after him. “If anyone reacted based on that interpretation, it shows their own misunderstanding,” he said when sought his reaction on Alagiri’s angry retort that the “party was not a mutt”.

However, soon Karunanidhi launched the offensive, asking why should Stalin not become the president of the party. He then said Stalin was his choice. But he quickly added that the party was not an authoritarian outfit, and it was the general council which would decide on the leader based on proposal and elections.

Over the years, Stalin has taken control of most of the party machinery, even in south Tamil Nadu where Alagiri’s writ ran large. He seems to have the support of his step-sister Kanimozhi, whom he visited on Saturday to greet her on her birthday.