Factionalism within the DMK was laid bare in full public view, as supporters of Union Minister M K Alagiri clashed with those of party treasurer M K Stalin during a demonstration here on Thursday.
The slugfest reportedly left Alagiri loyalist Essakki Muthu, also the Madurai urban presidium of the DMK, injured. “When Anja Nenjan (Alagiri) heard about what happened, he took Essakki Muthu in his car and admitted him in a Government hospital in K Pudur,” claimed sources close to Alagiri.
Meanwhile, Muthu’s family members said that Alagiri also directed Essakki Muthu to write to the party high command about the day’s happenings. The incident, an Alagiri supporter recounted, took place during a protest organised by the DMK’s Madurai unit, condemning the price hike and corruption in the Corporation, as per directions from the party high command.
Stalin loyalists Jayaraman, the DMK Madurai urban youth wing organiser, Madurai urban unit secretary Thalapathi and former Corporation zone chairman Guruswamy apparently occupied the dais at the protest venue. Trouble surfaced when Essakki Muthu attempted to climb on to the stage, prompting a ‘vulgar’ rebuke from Jayaraman.
A few others soon joined Jayaraman and pushed Essaki Muthu down from the stage, triggering heated exchanges between both groups.
Former deputy mayor P M Mannan, a close aide of Alagiri, then questioned their behaviour, triggering a scuffle. Police soon intervened and pacified both groups.
Supporters of both Stalin and Alagiri have been locked in cold war ever since Stalin conducted the selection for the party’s youth wing office-bearers in Madurai.
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