DMK weighed down by family?

CHENNAI: Amidst speculations of his having a disagreement with father and DMK chief M Karunanidhi, Kolathur MLA M K Stalin went about his business on Saturday, opening an MLA’s office in the constituency.Accompanied by his wife, Durga Stalin, he looked his usual self, but did not speak to the media. Meanwhile, DMK sources claimed Karunanidhi had driven down to Mahabalipuram on Friday only to catch a few solitary moments with a view of drafting the resolutions to be passed at the DMK’s general council meeting scheduled for July 20 in Coimbatore.While sources said that Stalin was asserting himself in a bid to get the top post in the party, he had not been haughty with his father, or defied him, as had been speculated.However, it looks like the party patriarch’s family politics has caused some weariness among the DMK cadre who are disheartened by the latest developments. The much-expected restructuring of the party may be postponed for now because of the widespread opposition to the move among the DMK’s top brass. Senior leaders in the DMK feel that at present the only tonic the party need is unity at every stage and not dissenting voices. As such, Karunanidhi may send a strong message to cadre and party functionaries at the general council meeting.