DMK rebel Alagiri to start gathering loyalists

Amid speculation about him campaigning in favour of Narendra Modi after he endorsed the Bharatiya Janata Party's PM candidate, rebel Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader MK Alagiri is soon set to launch a state-wide tour to hold consultations with loyalists across Tamil Nadu as he looks to galvanise them ahead of Lok Sabha polls.

Sources indicated that he will meet both leaders and party workers who are "committed to the core values of the party and (were) against authoritarianism".

A strategy will be evolved "well in advance" of Lok Sabha polls and declared at the appropriate time, sources added.

"'Annan' (Alagiri) is facing pressure from supporters not only in the southern districts but across Tamil Nadu. They want to meet him and have him hear them out," suspended DMK general council member and staunch Alagiri loyalist, Mubarak Manthiri, told PTI.

Asked if Alagiri would launch his tour immediately, Mubarak said, "It depends (on the circumstances)". He added that cadre from several areas, including Villupuram, Thanjavur and Arani, had sought his dates.

Expressing anguish that rather than taking steps to "resolve the impasse", the DMK leadership was "aggravating" the situation, he said, "I don't understand what stops them from doing this (resolving the issue). Now they say action will be taken against party workers who have links with our leader."

On March 19, DMK announced it would take disciplinary action against those who kept in touch with Alagiri. The party has accused Alagiri of "misleading party workers".

Alagiri is likely to participate in domestic functions of supporters at Rajapalyam (March 23) and Mudukulatur (March 26) and also meet people.

Ramanathapuram DMK MP and Alagiri loyalist JK Ritheesh is making arrangements for meetings with supporters.

On March 27, a grand meeting is being organised at Thanjavur which is expected to be a show of strength for Alagiri.