Karunanidhi praises Stalin

Stalin's dedication of a bulk of his time to the party impressed Karuna the most

DMK Treasurer and party chief M Karunanidhi's son Stalin today left for the US to submit the party-backed TESO resolutions on Sri Lankan Tamils issue at the United Nations.

Karunanidhi heaped praise on his younger son on the occasion, saying he was dedicating a bulk of his time to the party, even replacing him in many functions.

Tracing Stalin's days since his arrest under the stringent Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during Emergency to his son becoming Chennai Mayor before being inducted into his Ministry in 2006, Karunanidhi said Stalin went on to become the Deputy Chief Minister later.

The 88-year-old leader said he was happy to see his son spending his time for the party "day in, day out" and attending functions in his place and addressing the requirements of his partymen, thus reminding how active he was in his younger days in DMK.

"Today I am happier than the day Stalin was born or during his days in jail under MISA as he is on a trip to ensure the well-being of Sri Lankan Tamils," Karunanidhi noted.

Karunanidhi said when Stalin came to meet him ahead of his visit to the US this morning, he was reminded of the days when his son was taken to jail.

A meeting of the recently revived Tamil Eelam Supporters' Organisation (TESO), chaired by DMK chief M Karunanidhi, had said India should move a resolution in the UN, demanding its intervention to allow the Tamils in Sri Lanka to decide their rights.