Stalin scotches rumours, to seek re-election as treasurer

Dismissing as 'malicious' reports that he had offered to quit as party treasurer, DMK leader M K Stalin today affirmed that he was seeking re-election as party treasurer.
Media reports today claimed that Stalin had offered to quit as he was "not allowed" by Karunanidhi to contest for the post of general secretary, a post being held by veteran leader and former Finance Minister K Anbazhagan.
Stalin dismissed such reports as malicious rumours. "I condemn this strongly and deny such reports completely. Somebody has spread such rumours with malicious intent," he told reporters.
"I would like to state categorically that this has been done deliberately to create confusion among party ranks," he added.

He also clarified that party district secretaries, including J Anbazhagan had called on him to take his signature for filing papers to the post of treasurer.
The visits of party functionaries with Stalin were "used to fuel speculation" by vested interests, a DMK senior leader who declined to be named said.

On the demand for a larger role for Stalin by his supporters, he said it was true that they would like to see him go to the top of the party's organisational pyramid.
"The post, however, does not mattter. For all practical purposes, he is steering the party and is it not perceptible?" he asked.

Though active, Karunanidhi is 91 years old and his peer Anbazhagan is older than him and Stalin was giving DMK the much needed "tactical political direction," he added.