Daijiworld Media Network

Chennai, Jul 16: Former chief minister Karunanidhi left for a short holiday at a seaside resort at Mahabalipuram for the weekend following a row with his younger son M K Stalin on Thursday July 14 ahead of the DMK general  council meeting which would begin on July 23 in Coimbatore.

The former chief minister who has so far travelled with a large entourage of associates, this time was only occupied by his personal secretary K Shanmuganathan.

Sources say that Karunanidhi immediately packed his bags after a short argument with his son over the invovlement of his elder son and daughter in the 2G scam. The argument ended with Stalin stroming out of the DMK headquarters Anna Arivalayam.

However, it is learnt that Karunanidhi returned later in the evening.

Sources said that On Thursday, some members of the party's women's wing complained to Karunanidhi about Stalin. On being summoned to explain, Stalin is said to have blamed those close to his stepsister, Kanimozhi, and older brother Alagiri for trying to create rift within the family.

Yet another source said that off late, Stalin has become more assertive and keen that his father should decide soon on the succession issue.

Karunanidhi, sources say, is under pressure from the Stalin camp to hand over the reins to his son. But Alagiri supporters are keen on  Karunanidhi to continue at the helm.