Date:20/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/20/stories/2006042008250200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Thalaivar or `Appa'?

R.K. Radhakrishnan

CHENNAI: A few people apart from Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president M. Karunanidhi's children call him `Appa' (father). One of them was an actress who shifted loyalties this week. Not surprisingly, those close to Mr. Karunanidhi are fuming.

"How can she do this," asked one. Another young family member, who was cautioned recently for his choice of words when he referred to a leader who parted ways with the DMK, was of the opinion that there should be a ban on anyone calling Mr. Karunanidhi `Appa'.

In all public interactions, M.K. Stalin refers to his father as `Thalaivar' (leader).