DMK working president MK Stalin, along with other party leaders, today welcomed Kanimozhi and A Raja, who were acquitted in the 2G spectrum allocation case, at the Chennai airport.
DMK working president MK Stalin, along with other party leaders, today welcomed Kanimozhi and A Raja, who were acquitted in the 2G spectrum allocation case , at the Chennai airport.
A large number of DMK cadres were also present at the airport to greet the two leaders. Meanwhile, a huge crowd has also gathered at Gopalapuram residence of Karunanidhi.
From here on, there will be a new journey for the two leaders, who were vindicated after more than six years of battle. Though both of them have been active in DMK with the blessings of Karunanidhi could not be promoted much. Their taint had rubbed on DMK which had to lose consecutive elections. But, now the banners across Tamil Nadu is hailing Kanimozhi as "Thiyaga thalaivi"( sacrifice leader) and Raja as someone who has got his deserved justice.
DMK POLITICS WILL CHANGE
Now on, the DMK politics will change. MK Stalin though is happy that the taint on DMK is gone, he is worried about the possible demand from Kanimozhi and Raja to elevate them. If Karunanidhi had been active, sources say he would have immediately rewarded the two with an elevation.
"He was always sorry for his daughter and Raja who were made scapegoats in the 2G scam under the UPA regime. But now, Stalin has to be guarded considering that his elder brother Alagiri is already waiting to ask for his pound of flesh though expelled from the party. He has been reaching out to Kanimozhi, but she had been waiting for the verdict," said a supporter of Alagiri.
Tamil Nadu, which recently lost a powerful woman leader -- J Jayalalithaa could as well welcome another. Except for the 2G taint, Kanimozhi has always comes across as no-nonsense sweet person approachable to everyone. She dons many hats as poetess, journalist, MP and women's wing leader in the party.
After Murasoli Maran passed away, when Dayanidhi was sidelined due to rift, Kanimozhi and Raja were the torch bearers for the DMK in the state capital. Kanimozhi's English speaking skill and friends circle in Delhi was always noticed. She was responsible for being bridge between Karunanidhi and UPA leaders in translations and meetings. Even after the verdict came out, senior Congress leaders rushed to meet Kanimozhi who has made friends. Despite 2G trial, Kanimozhi had been actively voicing Tamil Nadu's issues in the Parliament.
"Most importantly, everyone sees her with sympathy now. As a woman who had to leave behind a young son at home, she suffered in the prison. Now she has been proven innocent. But for politics, legally case against her could have been won even in the local court. She needn't have suffered," said a person close to Kanimozhi.
As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, Kanimozhi has also been in touch with her powerful "Nadar" community leaders to create a base.
"Caste politics is important in Tamil Nadu. Nadars are important business community. She will get their support," said a source.
Similarly, A. Raja has also been using his Dalit card to say he had to suffer because of it.
In his emotional letter to Karunanidhi on 21st December, Raja had written, "Who is going to punish those who tainted your 80-year public life? Lot changed after my spectrum allocation in a fair manner. It paved way for new technologies. I give the 2G verdict on your feet with gratitude. You preserved me in snow so that I don't dissolve in the battle. The media did not do research and showed bad taste on spectrum wouldn't 'see' the social perspective."
Well, Raja had indicated many times that his Dalit caste was responsible for falling prey in the "elitist" circle. Karunanidhi had, time and again, said Raja was being punished for being a Dalit. Now, Raja would leave no opportunity to tap the Dalit caste.
"Now, if Kanimozhi and Raja join hands they can still demand a lot within the party or rebel," claimed a source in DMK.
But, since Stalin had already structured the party and brought everything under control, for now DMK would prefer to put a united face using this opportunity, said sources in the top-level DMK camp. "But, no more they can be ignored," he added as the last word.
