The other day Dayanidhi Maran, the estranged grand nephew of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi opened up a part of his mind to the media in Chennai. He alleged that even if Karunanidhi wished for a reunion, those around him would not allow it to happen. 'Some people are trying to block the move for reconciliation', was the refrain of his hour long inter action. From what he said and how he said it, one thing became crystal clear. And, it is, that the rapprochement has reached a point of no return.

When he said taht some forces are against a patch up, his veiled reference was obviously to the Madurai-based son of the DMK Supremo, . M K Azhagiri. It is well known that Azhagiri was the one who prevented the Maran brothers from meeting their grand-uncle Karunanidhi on the latter's birthday.



Maran's Tamil Daily Dinakaran had published an opinion poll last year on the poliotical heir apparent of M Karunanidhi. It had put Stalin way ahead of Azhagiri. That was the starting point of the estranged relations. Three employees of Dinakaran were killed. Maran openly sought action against Azhagiri. This culminated in his unceremonious exit from the Union Cabinet.

The ruling DMK then launched Kalignar TV, evidently to bring to an end the virtual monopoly that the Sun TV of the Marans was enjoying.

There were reports that Karunanidhi's daughter Selvi and her brother M K Stalin were for a rapproachement. Their efforts too drew a blank.

It is natural that some of the remarks that Dayanidhi Maran made during his media-meet would have hurt the already injured feelings of the DMK leaders. Some of his outbursts were against those who had toiled for the growth of the party. Maran after all is a recent entrant into party politics. His remarks that he was treated shabbily may not go un-noticed.

There is every possibility of his being expelled from the DMK, once the vote on the Confidence Motion is over.