2G scam: Under political cloud, DMK left to hope for poll victory

CHENNAI: The irony could not have escaped viewers of DMK-controlled Kalaignar TV on Monday. When the nation was abuzz about the naming of Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and the channel’s managing director Sharad Kumar by the CBI in the 2G scam, the channel highlighted the met department prediction that rains would continue in Tamil Nadu for the next few days.

The DMK appeared to be under a political cloud unlike never before in recent history, as the 2G scam investigation took another step forward in Delhi, and observers here feel the party’s hopes now hinge on the outcome of the assembly poll, to be announced on May 13.

“There is little option for the party now. It simply has to be silent and swallow it”, says political analyst Gnani Sankaran, who feels the thread of hope for the party lies in the outcome of the assembly poll.

“If the DMK emerges the winner on May 13, it can pressurise the UPA government and even topple it, but if it loses the party will be neither here nor there. In the event of a loss in the assembly poll, the party will have to bear with the situation of an AIADMK government at home and simultaneously face pressure from the government in Delhi as well”, Sankaran says.

The six DMK ministers in the central cabinet are textiles minister Dayanidhi Maran and chemicals and fertilizers minister MK Azhagiri, and four ministers of state, namely SS Palanimanickam (finance), D Napolean (social justice and empowerment), S Jagathrakshakan (information and broadcasting), and S Gandhiselvan (health and family welfare).

DMK circles sought to play down the developments in Delhi, stating that these were only to be expected. “This is only part of the regular investigation process. Whatever is being highlighted are the findings of the investigating agency. The counter arguments will be heard only when the defence argument takes place”, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan told ET.

The developments have put chief minister Karunanidhi in a situation where he has to deal with pressures within the family and party. The CBI charge sheet has spared his wife Dayalu Amma’s name, but named Kanimozhi, daughter of the CM’s other wife, Rajathi Ammal. This, observers say, is likely to cause some bitterness within the family.

At the local level, Karunanidhi maintained an aggressive posture against AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa, stating that the latter had been resorting to false propaganda against him. The trigger for the chief minister’s ire was Jayalalithaa’s allegation that

the government was attempting to destroy some files under the pretext of moving them to the new secretariat building.

Karunanidhi pointed out that government departments have been functioning in the new assembly building after it was inaugurated by prime minister Manmohan Singh last year, and warned that he would take legal action against Jayalalithaa for misinformation.