Chennai, Jun 02: M Karunanidhi, who was today unanimously re-elected DMK president for a record ninth time, has anointed his younger son, M K Stalin, to be the next party leader by elevating him as one of the three deputy general secretaries. Asked if he had named him as his political heir, Karunanidhi said, "If you think so, I can say yes. We want to build up the young leadership."
Stalin was the party`s youth wing secretary and his elevation is being seen as a significant move to infuse young blood in the party leadership.
"Next to Karunanidhi, he is the only leader, who has closely worked with the party cadre and people. Karunanidhi has no right to name his successor, but the party has," said K. Anbazhagan, who was elected as general secretary for a fifth term.
N Veerasamy was re-elected the party`s treasurer, while Former state minister and deputy leader of the DMK legislature party Durai Murugan was appointed principal secretary, a newly created post.
Paruthi Illamvazuthy, MLA, and former minister Sarguna Pandian were the other deputy general secretaries.

The party also created an action committee comprising senior leaders like Murasoli Maran, Ko Si Mani, Veerappandi S Arumugham and Union Environment Minister T R Baalu. Bureau Report