Villupuram (TN): Decks are cleared for the take over of the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) leadership by party youth wing leader M K Stalin, son of DMK President M Karunanidhi.

All the senior leaders of the party, including Durai Murugan, Ponmudi, R V Janakiraman and party old guards like K Velavendan and Nannan, at the second day of the three-day DMK conference in Villupuram, have asked Stalin to come forward to lead the party 'which was facing many challenges'.

They said time has come for the party to organise an agitation to fight the 'oppressive' AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) rule in Tamil Nadu.

Stalin, who had been entrusted with the responsibility of presiding over the conference, said he was prepared to lead an agitation against the AIADMK government rather than presiding over the conference.

Tracing the history of the Dravidian movement, Stalin said the party had faced many challenges, which had been overcome easily. 'Those who wanted to destroy DMK would not succeed in their attempts. In fact they will be destroyed,' he said.

PTI