CHENNAI: The much expected Alagiri-Poongothai meeting did not materialise. But in the wake of the controversial Radia conversation tapes, the DMK's review meeting with functionaries of Tirunelveli district held in the city on Wednesday and presided over by chief minister and party president M Karunanidhi proved stormy enough. Union minister MK Alagiri was in New Delhi and could not attend the meeting, but state IT minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna participated, triggering some tense moments.
According to a senior leader, as soon as the meeting began, Siva Padmanabhan from Alangulam, a supporter of the Madurai strongman, demanded an explanation from the minister for describing Alagiri as "a cut throat politician" in a reported conversation with Radia, audio recordings of which have been put out online.
But a flustered Poongothai stood up and told the gathering of senior functionaries from Tirunelveli that she had already made her explanations to the party supremo. Karunanidhi too urged the functionary not to bring up the issue again. While the Radia tape matter was shelved for the moment, the meeting took on a caste tone for the first time, with nadar' (the caste to which Poongothai belongs) and thevar' functionaries of the party openly squabbling.
Party sources said Karunanidhi stressed again on the need for unity within the party to take on the opposition in the assembly elections. In a series of election committee meetings being held in Chennai in the run up to the assembly polls, Karunanidhi, worried by the in-fighting within the party in most districts, has been urging partymen to shed their differences and work together.
According to a senior leader, as soon as the meeting began, Siva Padmanabhan from Alangulam, a supporter of the Madurai strongman, demanded an explanation from the minister for describing Alagiri as "a cut throat politician" in a reported conversation with Radia, audio recordings of which have been put out online.
But a flustered Poongothai stood up and told the gathering of senior functionaries from Tirunelveli that she had already made her explanations to the party supremo. Karunanidhi too urged the functionary not to bring up the issue again. While the Radia tape matter was shelved for the moment, the meeting took on a caste tone for the first time, with nadar' (the caste to which Poongothai belongs) and thevar' functionaries of the party openly squabbling.
Party sources said Karunanidhi stressed again on the need for unity within the party to take on the opposition in the assembly elections. In a series of election committee meetings being held in Chennai in the run up to the assembly polls, Karunanidhi, worried by the in-fighting within the party in most districts, has been urging partymen to shed their differences and work together.
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