Bigger party role awaits Kanimozhi

Kanimozhi, Rajya Sabha member, who was granted bail by the Delhi High Court in the 2G Spectrum Scam on Monday, could emerge as a strong contender for DMK leadership.

One thing is almost certain, she is all set to go places, according to father Muthuvel Karunanidhi, the DMK patriarch. “The party will soon decide on giving a new position to Kanimozhi,” a visibly elated Karunanidhi told journalists at his Gopalapuram residence.
Karunanidhi said he spoke to Kanimozhi over phone immediately after she was granted bail by the court. But he declined to speak when his daughter would reach Chennai from Delhi.

Leading political commentators and people close to Karunanidhi are of the view that the DMK supremo would entrust Kanimozhi with more serious responsibilities.

“Six months in jail have changed Kanimozhi a lot. The image given by the DMK leaders that she is innocent has made a big impact among party cadre and they are even ready to accept her as Karunanidhi’s political heir,” said an observer who is close to Karunanidhi. He pointed out that both Stalin and Alagiri, Karunanidhi’s sons by his second wife Dayalu Ammal were yet to show their mettle.

“Stalin is yet to come out from his image as a factional leader while Alagiri has been a total disaster. The union fertilizer minister’s close friends are ‘Attack’ Pandi and ‘Pottu’ Suresh. Stalin’s performance both inside the Assembly and outside are below expectations,” said the commentator.

He said, “Now she has the aura of a living martyr. Being a woman is an added advantage. I am sure the party cadre has lot of sympathy and love for her.

Kanimozhi can be the DMK’s face in New Delhi hereafter and that is the immediate gift Karunanidhi could offer her,” the  commentator added.