Chennai: MK Stalin took the place of his father M Karunanidhi today by formally taking the charge as DMK’s chief along with a call to arms for his party men. “My dream is to oppose who give a religious color to everything… We will teach a lesson to the Narendra Modi government,” said the new assigned party chief.

The son has been managing the party for over a year and now he has set a closer target. “Let’s throw away the corrupt government in Tamil Nadu,” said the leader, who climbed to the post just three weeks after his father’s death.

The ceremony was done at the headquarters of DMK, and during the festive mood, black and red party flags and drumbeats were used for the first time since the health of the former chief started deteriorating a month ago. Soon after the meeting, Mr. Stalin paid a visit to his father’s memorial located in Chennai’s Marina Beach to seek his blessings.

Talking about the era of his father Karunanidhi’s 49-year-old leadership, Mr. Stalin said, “I never dreamt that I would lead the party. It is a huge responsibility… I don’t say I would lead. Let’s do it together. Let’s question all including ourselves if we go wrong”.

The DMK party of Tamil Nadu has taken turns to share power in the southern state with arch-rival J Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK for many decades and now the aim of the party is national politics. Mr. Stalin has been very upfront since last months by taking part with the opposition to form a front against the BJP at the center in the national elections to be held next year.

“Today’s political situation has come as a grave challenge. Education, art, literature, religion are under attack by authoritative and communal forces. The Union government is trying to destabilize judiciary, selection of governors. All this has dealt a blow to the secular principles,” Mr. Stalin said. “Under the BJP, even the rights of state governments were being trampled upon”, he added.

Upon the elevation of Mr. Stalin as DMK’s party chief, the likes of Congress President Rahul Gandhi and many other opposition leaders which include Mamata Banerjee hailed the move. “Congratulations to Shri M K Stalin on being elected President of the DMK. I wish him happiness & success as he begins a new chapter in his political journey,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

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