India News

Why did Maran have to resign? (NEWS ANALYSIS)

May 14, 2007, 6:00 GMT

Chennai, May 14 (IANS) Communications and IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran had to resign from the union cabinet as he is said to be up against the women of DMK patriarch and Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's family. The women here would be Dayalu Ammal, mother of M.K. Azhagiri and M.K. Stalin - Karunanidhi's sons, his ambitious daughter M.K. Kanimozhi and her mother Rajathi Ammal. In fact, his resignation letter states he was prepared to accept the party decision 'if it gave any joy to Mr Karunanidhi and family'. It was probably one of the most pragmatic of political decisions in recent times after his DMK party served him a notice for 'actions detrimental to the party'. In the last three years, Maran had emerged as an effective pointsman for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), one of India's oldest parties and also part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) ruling in New Delhi. Shipping and Surface Transport Minister T.R. Baalu was the DMK pointsman before young Maran emerged on the scene. Maran's rapport with Congress president Sonia Gandhi was as much a matter of envy as was his closeness to the industry. The suave and cosmopolitan Maran managed to draw investment worth Rs.30 billion into Tamil Nadu alone in just six-eight months. He has proved his capability as a minister and most parties would be proud to have him as a member. So why did Maran have to go? Kanimozhi's mother Rajathi Ammal has emerged as a powerbroker ever since the DMK came to power in the state on May 13, 2006 and her CIT Road house is where many important decisions are taken. The English-speaking and smart Kanimozhi is a glib communicator and is in the long run expected to emerge as the next pointsman for the DMK in New Delhi - if not as good as Maran, certainly better than all the others. Maran's exit is being seen here as an opportunity for Kanimozhi. Then there is Dayalu Ammal, mother of M.K. Azhagiri and M.K. Stalin - Karunanidhi's sons. Azhagiri had for many years been alienated from the family. He was sent away from Chennai, as he was seen as a threat to Stalin, just as Murasoli Maran was sent to New Delhi by the DMK to again safeguard Stalin for chief-ministership. It was during the early days of the erstwhile AIADMK regime, when the Jayalalitha government arrested Karunanidhi, recorded for posterity by the Marans' Sun Television images, that Dayalu managed a rapprochement of her elder son with Karunanidhi. Azhagiri's support in the southern districts was also a major contribution to the DMK's election victory in May 2006. In 2001, he had fielded candidates opposing the DMK's and the AIADMK won as a result. So anyone fomenting a rift between Azhagiri and Stalin cannot be pardoned. The DMK administrative committee that met Sunday here did not discuss any action against the chief minister's Madurai-based son Azhagiri, whose supporters burned the Dinakaran newspaper office, killing three media employees Wednesday. The violence took place as the paper, owned by Dayanidhi Maran's brother Kalanidhi, published a survey that projected Stalin as being a more popular heir to Karunanidhi than Azhagiri. The family then told the patriarch: 'If they (Marans) can do this when you are hale and hearty, what will they do when you are not?' The DMK-Karunanidhi empire's division is currently no doubt as follows - south of Madurai under Azhagiri, Chennai with Stalin and New Delhi over to Kanimozhi. So there is no space here for any Maran. Maran is an elected leader from Central Chennai constituency, and by the next Lok Sabha elections in 2008 he may be able to even contest as an independent. Though he loses a ministry, Maran may continue to remain an MP unless he resigns. Maran's resignation would mean one MP less for the DMK and a by-election by year-end. One immediate outcome of the DMK's rift with Maran is the return of Baalu as the party's chief spokesperson. But he is at the moment in the middle of a controversy over railroading the Sethusamudram canal project that no one except the DMK wants. Baalu's relations with the opposition in parliament is not too good and there are accusations of corruption and misuse of office against him. The DMK may soon have to look for another charming and less controversial pointsman. In June, the DMK will be sending six members to the Rajya Sabha and Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi is expected to be one of them. © 2007 Indo-Asian News Service

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concerned citizenMay 14th, 2007 - 15:01:06

that karunanidhi bugger, trying to play around with our mandate.... promoting his family politically, with our money.... what a shame.......

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Shame on You TamilNaduMay 14th, 2007 - 16:38:25

The most cunning politician in the history of Tamilnadu, has once again proved that he will do anything against anybody for his family welfare. Dayanithi maran was good as a central minister and atleast he remained well educated member, and differed with other DMK rowdies. People of Tamilnadu should have to realize their cheap tactics to bring their whole family into power and teach a lesson on forthcoming elections.

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Tamil MaganMay 15th, 2007 - 01:08:56

It is ridicules that family politics spooling India growths , it is well know CM son setting in one corner of India and because of him three people killed, and to cover that CM and his family they spoiled India growth, Maran contributed very much in IT, internet and telecom to India that to lot to Tamilnadu, up to this I was voting to DMk here after no no nocc

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pity tamilianMay 17th, 2007 - 11:14:22

The people of tamilnadu should realise that we shouldnt be here after under the hands of uneducated hooligans.ATleast one young educated chap among the ruling party rised tamilnadu to the toplevel,but now they stopped even that...,if again DMK comes ...the future of tamilnadu is a big question mark????

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BrahmanyanMay 17th, 2007 - 11:23:36

The Article is more or less covers the situation in TN Politics correctly. But DMK has no numbers to send Six members to the Rajya Sabha vacancies in June. At the most two members from their own Party. One seat has been doled out to CPI's Raja and one may be given to PMK. AIADMK may manage to send two members from its own fold.

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RameshMay 19th, 2007 - 15:19:16

I should say that all the good work done by Karunanidhi (can I say Karuna) is wiped out by this Madurai incident. With age, I thought Karuna has matured and has become more interested in public service (rather than family service), but I was wrong. Three innocent people are killed for no fault of theirs and the party or government has taken no action against Azhagiri, who engineered all the violence. People of Tamilnadu are no fools and this is going to have a telling effect on the outcome of the next election, but who is going to replace DMK? The pitialble Jayalalitha (Jaya - shall I)? I shudder to think Jaya coming to power with her uyirthozhi going on the encroachment spree. DMK should act swiftly now to bring back the public faith. Ahagiri should go to prison and everybody involved in the vilence should be punished. Azhagiri has no qualification to do what he is doing now in southern districts. He is neither a MLA, nor holds any party position; neither academically qualified, nor intelligent. I see the party disintegrating due to family politics. Please read the article by Gnani in O pakkangal in A.Vikatan. It gives a fair and unbiased view of the happenings and suggests what karuna should do.
In the middle, I don't know what intelligent people like P. Chidambaram are doing? They have a very good chance to win back power in T.Nadu now.

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RameshMay 19th, 2007 - 15:43:40

Wonderful article ...

transcurrents.com/tamiliana/

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A TN Well wisherMay 27th, 2007 - 07:02:14

TN has invested in Maran - he was a novice but endowed with Intellect . He has built Brand TN . Now to just close this is a shame and insult to the people of TN. MK - S , MK A & MK K seems to be the new flavor . Nothing wrong in JJ coments during last election rally of MK just promoting the family. TN has to see a new political combination - Bunch of Intellects + Star Power ( Not that they have any less intellect + A Non caste based Political prowess + Student Power). Can the young Maran lead it - Maybe - Yes ! Should he - TN will be disappointed. Am i a Maran follower - No i too am an intellect , i think.
Set up , we will make it happen - Kudos to Brand TN ( No Resevations here ! Pun Intended)

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S.K.MOORTHIMay 28th, 2007 - 23:27:11

maran was doing an extraordinary job as minister for india and he was the one builing a good brand for chennai and atlast because of cheap politics,india has lost a charming person.hope dayanidhi will come back with vengeance and prove again.

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Tamilian in LondonNov 15th, 2007 - 11:44:33

I guess Mr.stalin should take over the whole scene ,there cant be a better tamilian who has the capability and maturity to rule the state at this point in time.
The problem with us is that we keep reacting too quickly thats why our political system sways every 5 yrs .Lets have a new leader and support him for a long time .

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