The inclusion of the name of his daughter Kanimozhi in the spectrum case by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has jolted chief minister M. Karunanidhi and shocked his DMK party when, barely a fortnight from now, another critical event is readying to unfold: the result of the state Assembly election in which archrival Ms Jayalalithaa is stoutly challenging his bid to return to power.
The octogenarian had taken time on Monday morning to visit the new secretariat building, to go into the Assembly library and to even address the media on various issues, such as Ms Jayalalithaa’s charge that important files were being destroyed due to fear that he was not going to win the election.
A reporter asked him about reports — it was only speculation then — that members of his family were likely to be included in the CBI chargesheet and in that event, will the DMK snap ties with the Congress?
Mr Karunanidhi’s rage was palpable. “You should not talk like this, being a woman. A woman reporter should not ask such a heartless question.” That sort of explained the tense mood prevailing at the media conference, where his son and deputy chief minister M.K. Stalin and other top DMK functionaries were also present.
DMK sources said Mr Karunanidhi was confident that his wife Dayalu Ammal and daughter Kanimozhi will not figure in the chargesheet, even though some others in the party hierarchy had a whiff of things to come.