Chennai: The succession issue in the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu came to the fore with Chief Minister M Karunanidhi saying the time has not yet come for him to declare his son M K Stalin as his political heir and the latter hinting he was ready to take over the mantle if it was entrusted to him.

The 84-year old DMK veteran however said an announcement would be made shortly but did not elaborate beyond talking about duties expected of a son amid intense speculation that he will anoint the party's Deputy General Secretary and the Local Administration Minister as his successor at the party's Youth Wing conference here.

''We understand your expectations. An announcement on this will come shortly,'' he said in response to calls by Stalin's supporters asking for a more active role for him in the party and the government.

''As a father, I have fulfilled my duties. But at the same time,I expect you to perform your duties as a son,'' Karunanidhi told Stalin quoting a couplet of Tamil treatise 'Thirukkural' on the subject.

''We know that you will fulfill these duties. A father's duty is to see his son being praised by all. You should also fulfill the duty that a son has been brought up in a good manner,'' he said.

Stalin, who spoke earlier, said ''Do not aspire for posts. It should come to you through your sacrifices. Posts should come to you. You should not go after that,'' he said in his presidential address.

''Some leaders, who emerged overnight and for whom politics have become a part time business, wanted to become Chief Minister without making any sacrifice,'' he said in a veiled attack against new entrants like actors Vijaykant and R Sarathkumar who floated their own political parties.

Source : PTI