MK Alagiri, the expelled leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), issued a threat to his brother and DMK chief MK Stalin over membership of the party.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, a day before DMK’s presidential election, Alagiri said that the party leaders supporting Stalin will have to face consequences if he is not reinstated.

“Earlier Kalaignar (M Karunanidhi) was there. Now we have to save the party (DMK) and we want to join it. If they don’t include us in the party, they will have to face the consequences,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.

The 67-year-old Alagiri was responding to a question on why there was no revolt earlier.

DMK will hold elections on Tuesday, 28 August.

MK Stalin, the party working president since January 2017, filed his nomination for the post on Sunday, 26 August. In all likelihood, Stalin will be elevated to the post of president.

Read More: MK Stalin files nomination to become DMK president

Stalin sought blessings from his mother, met senior party leader Anbazhagan and visited memorials of Karunanidhi and Annadurai before filing the nominations.

The rivalry between the brothers – both sons of Karunanidhi with his second wife Dayalu Ammal – came to a head following the death of their father.

On 13 August, less than a week after Karunanidhi’s death, Alagiri revolted against the party at his father’s grave at Anna Memorial in Chennai.

Triggering a succession war, Alagiri accused his brother of “not working” for the welfare of the party.

Expressing his disappointment at the manner in which DMK is being run, the former Union Minister said that all “true relatives” of his father are on his side.

“My father’s true relatives are all are on my side. All the supporters in Tamil Nadu are on my side and are encouraging me alone. Only time will give the answers. That is all I am willing to say now,” Alagiri told reporters after paying tributes at his father’s grave, who passed away on 7 August aged 94.

Alagiri was expelled by Karunanidhi in 2014 following his protest against Stalin’s elevation and criticising other leaders of the party.

A politician with strong roots in Madurai and southern districts of Tamil Nadu, Alagiri returned to make headlines with his presence at his father’s side at Kauvery Hospital and, later, during the funeral ceremony.