CHENNAI: With their acquittal in the 2G spectrum case, A
Raja and
Kanimozhi may well emerge as the DMK's new torchbearers. While 54-year-old Raja's rise in
DMK politics was quick, Kanimozhi, 49, who began as a reluctant politician, had slipped into the role of party pointperson in Delhi.
Both, however, quietly stepped back following their indictment in the 2G spectrum case.
But after seven years of lying low, the two leaders are expected to continue from where they left off, under M K
Stalin's leadership.
Given his unease in interacting with national leaders, Stalin may find Raja, the party's propaganda secretary, and Kanimozhi, the women's wing secretary, useful as the party's faces in Delhi.
Kanimozhi had emerged as the DMK representative in Delhi after Dayanidhi Maran's fall from grace; now Stalin may give back that role to his sister. With DMK president
M Karunanidhi incapacitated and Stalin the undisputed leader, the duo will be taking orders from the DMK's working president.
Senior leaders admit that both leaders had voluntarily opted for a "less vigorous role" in the party after serving prison terms.
"But Kanimozhi was the party's group leader in the
Rajya Sabha and continued to fulfil her duties as women's wing chief," said DMK spokesman and RS member T K S Elangovan. Besides Kanimozhi and Elangovan, the DMK has two other RS members. On Thursday, DMK party workers rejoiced in expectation of the verdict brightening the party's prospects after a long drought.
During the trial, the two leaders had maintained a low profile, shunning the dais and avoiding the political arclight. While Kanimozhi ensured she did not get caught in the Stalin-Alagiri crossfire, taking cover behind her father Karunanidhi, Raja kept his public appearance minimal.
"They get back upfront again soon. The party needs them," said a senior leader and Kanimozhi supporter. Their dynamism within the party ensured them a small but loyal support base.
Rooted firmly in the ideologies and principles of Periyar's
Dravidar Kazhagam and Ambedkar, Raja was projected as a dalit crusader by the DMK, said a leader.
His close association with Karunanidhi and his family gave the ambitious leader a leg up and berths in the Union cabinet. Kanimozhi had settled into her role as women's wing leader and her father's Delhi rapporteur. "She is one of the most talented leaders we have had so far.
Even during the 2G trial, she continued with the various programmes and agitations on state issues. Today, the party's women's wing has more than one crore members," said A Tamilarasi Ravikumar, deputy secretary of the women's wing.
There are apprehensions among small sections that the two leaders could emerge as a new power centre in the party. "But that's surely unlikely. Stalin is all powerful now. If they don't accept his leadership, they will be doomed," said a Stalin loyalist from a southern district. Marshalling strengths of the two leaders would be Stalin's prime aim too at a time when the party needs to recoup.
