CHENNAI - Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s son M.K. Stalin was elected as treasurer of the ruling DMK party after organisational elections here Saturday, with senior leaders indicating that the young leader was set to step into his father’s shoes.

‘Everyone here knows Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) was our party treasurer before donning the mantle of our leader. We have bestowed the same honour on Stalin after much persuasion from us. We see the development as a stepping stone for higher positions for him,’ said Electricity Minister and outgoing DMK treasurer Arcot N. Veerasamy.

Promoted from his position as the party’s deputy general secretary, Stalin indicated the obvious in his acceptance speech.

‘Kalaignar served as treasurer under our founder leader (and former chief minister C.N.) Anna (Durai). Now, I have been accorded this pride of place,’ Stalin said.

Karunanidhi and Anbazhagan subtly welcomed Stalin’s promotion in their speeches.

Three-time treasurer Veerasamy, who had proposed Stalin’s name for treasurer, has been made the party’s Principal Secretary - a new post.

Surprisingly, Stalin’s elder sibling M.K. Azhagiri has not been given any party position. He was not even present at the organisational poll, having chosen to visit Madurai.

Some of his close confidantes expressed annoyance though they were not willing to speak on record.

Earlier, G.M. Shah, a party veteran and returning officer, declared Karunanidhi and K. Anbazhagan elected as party president and general secretary for 10th and eighth consecutive times respectively.

Amongst the audience were Karunanidhi’s daughter and MP Kanimozhi and former central minister and grandnephew Dayanidhi Maran who also have not been given any positions.

Maran had returned to the party inner circle after being kept out of it for several months since his resignation as central minister.