Maran146;s only chance: Hope they forgive

But, addressing the DMK8217;s high-powered administrative committee on Sunday evening and endorsing the resolutions seeking to drop him from the Union Cabinet and eventually stripping him of the party8217;s primary membership, Karunanidhi brought the curtains down on his grandnephew8217;s three-year-old political career, which he himself had been quite proud of.

Maran had proved a vital presence in his grandfather8217;s life since his election to the Lok Sabha and subsequent swearing-in as a Union Minister. Since the DMK came to power in May 2006, Maran was also instrumental in bringing several mega projects to the state.

While the Madurai violence, a fallout of a poll survey by Dinakaran, a newspaper from the Maran stables, appears to be the provocation for the rather drastic party action against him, party insiders say Dayanidhi8217;s exit is a result of the simmering differences between him and Local Administration Minister M K Stalin, tipped to take over the DMK reins after Karunanidhi.

Relations between the two have been rather strained with the Maran Group publications and the Sun TV deliberately blacking out Stalin and his functions. While Karunanidhi was prominently covered, Stalin never found space in the newspapers or television channel owned, managed by Kalanidhi Maran. On March 1, this year, which happens to be Stalin8217;s birthday, Dinakaran even carried a report about a monkey celebrating its birthday.

While Stalin did not see Dayanidhi Maran as a threat, the latter8217;s business-like approach contrary to the DMK8217;s traditional ideology did not go down well with the dhoti-clad heir apparent. In fact, sartorial differences were a fundamental divide between Stalin, who was never comfortable speaking English, and the convent-educated Maran.

Right now, Maran8217;s political future appears rather bleak. Hailing from a family of DMK supporters, there is little chance of Maran turning to any other party. With Maran bashing a favourite theme with Jayalalithaa, the chances of Dayanidhi turning to AIADMK for a political rejuvenation is remote. Maran has a thin cadre base within the DMK, having leaned heavily on Stalin for his roadshows during the last Lok Sabha election. The only option left to Maran now is to lie low and hope that his grandfather and perhaps Stalin would 8220;forgive8221; him and pave the way for his re-entry into Tamil Nadu politics and perhaps a role in the Central Ministry again.

But if rumours are to be believed the MK family is grooming sister Kanimozhi to play a role in Delhi. Then Maran8217;s wait could be longer.