PM visit leaves AIADMK, Cong worried; DMK calls off anti-demonetisation protest

CHENNAI: In just 10 minutes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to breeze in and out of DMK chief M Karunanidhi's residence in Chennai, he churned the political cauldron, adding grist in abundant measure to the mill. Modi's was a courtesy visit to the ailing DMK patriarch, but his interaction with the DMK scion, M K Stalin set off speculation. Sources said the meeting was initiated by the PM himself through an emissary and was coordinated by Stalin in the DMK camp. Most state BJP leaders were not aware of it till late night on Sunday. Despite DMK and BJP leaders refusing to read any political significance, Modi's visit had many takeaways. After Modi returned to Delhi, the DMK leadership called off anti-demonetisation agitations in eight districts, including Chennai, scheduled for Wednesday. The reason cited was heavy rain.

Stalin, a bitter critic of Modi and the BJP, cut short a UAE trip by one day to receive the PM. The body language of Modi and Stalin did not betray the underlying unease between them. Two of Stalin's requests for appointments were turned down by the PM in the past, said sources, but on Monday, Modi made amends and assuaged hurt feelings by paying a surprise visit to Stalin's ancestral house.

In a state bogged down by volatile politics and a shaky government, Modi left the DMK leadership and many others guessing with a parting shot ­ an invitation to ailing Karunanidhi to take rest in PM's official residence in New Delhi. Is Modi's message aimed at the DMK leadership and cadres, who are confident of wresting power in TN if elections are held now? It is nevertheless a warning to many BJP leaders who have been cozying up with the ruling dispensation in TN. It has come to a stage where the BJP is bearing the brunt of the shoddy show of the Edappadi K Palaniswami government.

Equally worried should be DMK's ally Congress, headed by S Thirunavukkarasar, whose liking for the AIADMK Mannargudi faction is no secret. His boss Rahul Gandhi, after years of avoiding Gopalapuram, visit ed Karunanidhi in hospital last December. He later visited Karunanidhi's house on his birthday in June.

Reacting to Modi's visit,

Rajya Sabha

MP Kanimozhi said the PM has a lot of regard for her father.

Even during chance meetings in the corridors of the Parliament, the PM would enquire about Karunanidhi's health, she said. It may be recalled that Karunanidhi had called Modi a “good friend“ when he got elected as Prime Minister.

Karunanidhi presented Modi two books one an English translation of his comments on 2000-year-old Tamil epic Thirukkural, and the other a book on DMK mouthpiece Murasoli's 75th year celebration.

After giving a patient hearing to Dr Aravindan Selvaraj about the improvement in Karunanidhi's treatment, “The PM advised thalaivar (leader) to take care of his health. He also invited him to stay in the PM's official residence in Delhi and take rest,“ said Kanimozhi. Reacting to a query , she said, “Not a word of politics was discussed“.

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