The appointment was greeted with bursting of crackers and distribution of sweets.
Party principal secretary Duraimurugan quoted the famous phrase of DMK founder CN Annadurai "Thambi Va Thalamai Erka Va," (Younger Brother, come to take the leadership of the party) to welcome Stalin and the latter was not able to hold back his tears.
Looking at Stalin, while praising his role in the party, an emotional Duraimurugan recalled how the working president elect had strongly stood for ideals of the Dravidian movement like self-respect.
Stating that in the past, he had felt proud and happy when he was given new responsibilities, he said, "Today I'm not in such a stage (feeling happy about elevation due to the patriarch's health), this is the truth."
"In view of the health status of party chief, I accept this position with a heavy heart," Stalin said, adding that his work as working chief would be that of aiding Karunanidhi.
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