He said the DMK is a democratic party. "If anyone is to become its president or general secretary it has to be proposed in the party's general council," Karunanidhi told reporters here.
"If I get an opportunity to propose somebody as an individual, I will only propose Stalin (for President post). Because, he was already proposed by party general secretary K Anbhazhagan which means I endorsed it," he said.
The DMK supremo saw nothing wrong in Stalin becoming his successor. Since DMK is a political party and he had indicated that after him it would be Stalin, it showed that his younger son will be his successor, a reporter asked him.
"When you ask me like that what is wrong if I say so? Can't Stalin become (President)? Is he not a member of DMK? It will only irritate those who prevent Stalin becoming the President," Karunanidhi said.
Last week, in the clearest-ever hint, Karunanidhi had indicated that Stalin would be the successor in the party after him.
Reacting to Karunanidhi's comments, his elder son and Union Chemical and Fertilisers Minister Alagiri had said DMK was not a "mutt".
After chairing the district secretaries meeting at party headquarters today, Karunanidhi accused a section of the media for jumping the gun.
"Media misconstrued my comments saying Stalin will become the party chief. I had only said he will continue my social work. If anybody believes that mischief and reacted to that it will only show their ignorance," he said on Alagiri's comment.
To a question whether he will not contest the party elections, the 88-year-old leader said "I do not know whether I will live till then".
Anbhazhagan, who was present in the press conference, intervened to say, "if we propose somebody, others would also follow it and DMK chief will not refuse it."
To a question whether he would persuade Alagiri not to contest the coming party elections, Karunanidhi said "DMK is not a dictatorship. It is democratic one. If I propose Stalin (as President) any party member can contest against him. That is DMK."
Karunanidhi had more than once given enough hints that Stalin is his political heir-apparent, an issue that has led to sibling rivalry with Alagiri.
Replying to a question whether he thinks Lok Sabha polls would be advanced, the DMK patriarch said he did not "presume" so.