|
Nov 1, 1999
|
|
|
|
SPECIAL SERIES M K Stalin, 47
Mayor of Chennai, DMK Heir-Apparent
DRAVIDA PRINCE
He was just over
22 when M.K. Stalin -- the son of thalaivar (leader) M. Karunanidhi -- was beaten up in
jail so brutally during the Emergency that a fellow prisoner died trying to save him. When
he emerged, Stalin found his father and party desolate. The rival AIADMK had won over the
key youth vote. So Stalin, secretary of the newly founded DMK youth wing, was asked to woo
them back. He did, to great effect. Today, Karunanidhi is chief minister again and Stalin
is still building ground. He's been mayor of Chennai since 1996, and that job profile is
almost certain to upgrade to state politics in the tradition of dynasty. Stalin is already
being billed as the new Dravida hope, his father's successor.
-L R Jagadheesan |
