Tamil Nadu   

Major operation from hospital bed

S. Dorairaj

K. Kalimuthu

CHENNAI: "It was a major but painless operation. Interestingly, one of those behind the successful execution was a person undergoing treatment as in-patient in a corporate hospital in the city" — thus explained an observer on the role of former Assembly Speaker and chairman of the ruling party K. Kalimuthu in ensuring the return of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) camp after a gap of seven years.

There is no gainsaying that Mr. Kalimuthu played a key role in persuading MDMK general secretary Vaiko to clinch a seat-sharing deal with the ruling party for the May 8 Assembly poll.

Yet he told The Hindu on Monday that the AIADMK-MDMK alliance became possible only because of "Amma's political diplomacy and magnanimity." "I merely reeled out some stories and analogies while addressing public meetings."

Admitted to the hospital on February 16, the former Speaker was discharged after a week. He was re-admitted with complaints of `vasculitis' on February 23. But the illness could not deter Mr. Kalimuthu from carrying out his political duties including his regular contribution to the party organ.

Just as the AIADMK was feverishly trying to win some allies to its side, Mr. Kalimuthu intensified his work to wean some opposition parties, more particularly the MDMK, away from the Democratic Progressive Alliance.

Extending an olive branch to Mr. Vaiko, he asked him to forget the 19-month-long POTA incarceration and told several stories to persuade him to quit the DPA.

On his future plans, he said, "I have to take a plunge in the election campaign directly in the first week of April, after taking rest till March end as advised by the doctors."

Exuding optimism, he said the AIADMK would get more seats than it did in the last Assembly election and the DPA would not match the people's power, "which backed Puratchi Thalaivi."

The former Speaker is expected to be discharged from hospital on Wednesday.

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