Days after springing a surprise by hinting at quitting active politics by the middle of next year, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Wednesday in Chennai indicated that he is keeping open the options of retiring as well as handing over the mantle to his son M K Stalin.
"We will consider both the views," the 85-year-old DMK patriarch told reporters here when asked about remarks made by some party leaders that he should not quit politics and if he does so, Deputy Chief Minister Stalin should succeed him.
Asked to elaborate on his Saturday remarks that he would leave ministerial post and political activities "to be one among the people", he said, "Wait till the (International Tamil Classical) conference ends. We have six-month time."
Karunanidhi had earlier hinted at retiring from active politics after some of his remaining important ambitions, including the conduct of the Tamil conference, were fulfilled.
His comments on retirement last week at a function here were seen as paving the way for handing over the mantle to Stalin, regarded as his political heir particularly after his elevation as Deputy Chief Minister with key portfolios.
Stalin, however, had yesterday said he hoped his father would reconsider his thinking to quit active politics.
On External Affairs Minister S M Krishna's remarks that the issue of Katchatheevu island, ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974, was a closed chapter, he said Indian pilgrims and fishermen had been assured of their rights, but the Lankan government had taken them away at a later stage.
"The need of the hour is to protect the rights of Tamils in Kachatheevu," he said.
On the protest by fishermen against the Indian Marine Fishing Activities Bill to regulate fishing, he said, "The bill is not acceptable to us. I have already written to the Centre on this. I hope the Centre will reconsider the bill."
On the views of educationists that the proposed uniform system of education in the state should lay emphasis on making the mother tongue the medium of instruction, he said, "We have to weigh the pros and cons of educating in mother tongue or English. before taking a decision."
On External Affairs Minister S M Krishna's remarks that the issue of Katchatheevu island, ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974, was a closed chapter, he said Indian pilgrims and fishermen had been assured of their rights, but the Lankan government had taken them away at a later stage.
"The need of the hour is to protect the rights of Tamils in Kachatheevu," he said.
On the protest by fishermen against the Indian Marine Fishing Activities Bill to regulate fishing, he said, "The bill is not acceptable to us. I have already written to the Centre on this. I hope the Centre will reconsider the bill."
On the views of educationists that the proposed uniform system of education in the state should lay emphasis on making the mother tongue the medium of instruction, he said, "We have to weigh the pros and cons of educating in mother tongue or English before taking a decision." PTI
