Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader M. Karunanidhi on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of his son and party treasurer M.K. Stalin becoming the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu if the party was elected to power, saying it would be possible only if something happened to him (Karunanidhi).

“Mr. Stalin himself has not only made it clear that he is not interested in becoming the Chief Minister, but has also reiterated that DMK leader [Karunanidhi] will be the Chief Minister,” Mr. Karunanidhi told a private satellite channel.

In fact, Mr. Stalin would be the first to endorse his name for the top job, he said.

Mr. Karunanidhi said he had never lost an election in his political career and he would be the Chief Minister for the sixth time if the DMK won the election.

Asked about the desire expressed by the supporters of Mr. Stalin that he should be made the Chief Minister, Mr. Karunanidhi said that would be possible “only if nature does something to me.”