Differences appear to have cropped up in DMKs first family?

Upset over recent developments, including DMK allegedly shielding former Telecom Minister A Raja on the 2G Spectrum issue, Alagiri is understood to have conveyed to Karunanidhi during their January 2 meeting that Raja should be stripped of the party post of `propaganda secretary` immediately so it could distance itself from the scam.

He was piqued over the reported telephonic talks by state Information Technology Minister Poongothai with corporate lobbyist Nira Radia, in which she had spoken against him, informed sources said.

Since Poongothai is known as a protege of Kanimozhi, a Rajya Sabha MP, he is believed to have told Karunanidhi that action should be taken against both of them.

He also expressed his desire to quit the union cabinet as he was ill at ease in Delhi because of the language problem and would like to concentrate more in state politics, sources said.

DMK officially has neither denied nor confirmed the reports.