Cost of Kani’s bail. 4 CRORES

While on one hand KD Brothers are making desperate attempts to save their image and their vast business empire...on the other the delay in Kanimozhi’s release has made her mother Rajathi Ammal visit god men…sources in DMK say Rajathi Ammal is meeting all sorts of god men to secure a bail for her daughter.

After Karunanidhi issued a statement supporting KD Brothers after CBI raids...Rajathi Ammal picked up a huge fight with Karunanidhi for backing Maran’s...Now things are becoming even more difficult for Karunanidhi at home.


After CBI said that 409 charges will be slapped against all 2G accused Kanimozhi...Rajathi Ammal has lost all hope that her daughter will be out on bail...Whispers doing rounds is that so far Karunanidhi has spent more than 4 crore rupees to bail out Kani from Tihar. The expenses include advocate fees, travel from Chennai to Delhi and to Tihar and accommodation in star hotels.  


Initially Union Minister Jegathratchagan who was footing the bill now appear to be reluctant as he too is under the CBI scanner.  DMK insiders say that Jegathratchagan has reduced his interaction with Karuna, after Karunanidhi expressed anger that he is not doing much to secure Kani’s bail. Jegathratchagan has his own list of owes as his Balaji Medical College is under the CBI radar for irregularities.

Rajathi Ammal who till now was pinning her hopes on legal brains has shifted her faiths on godmen.  Whispers are doing the rounds that Rajathi Ammal has been complaining that advocates are taking their family for a ride and not taking adequate steps to bail out her only daughter.   Kani’s CIT colony residence which was buzzing with visitors all the time wears a gloomy look as many of the partymen are keeping away scared of the brickbats of Rajathi Ammal.  Besides the brickbats of Rajathi Ammal, the DMK bigwigs have their own owes in the form of the Damocles’ sword hanging over their head in the form of DVAC raids and disproportionate assets cases. 

Rajathi Ammal’s anger has also turned against loyalists like TR.Balu who had reaped huge harvests using Kanimozhi have now abandoned the ship.  

Whereas godmen cashing on this opportunity are suggesting special poojas for Kani’s bail and Rajathi Ammal is spending huge sums on the hope that there will be a divine intervention which would change Special Judge O.P.Saini’s heart.

Whispers doing the rounds is that Kanimozhi’s detention in jail for more than 150 days has not created any sympathy among the general public.  Sources add that now Rajathi Ammal with the help of some of her loyalists are approaching media houses to publish articles narrating the pitiful condition and woes of Kani inside Tihar Prison.   In fact one leading Tamil bi-weekly has come out with a cover story narrating the heart wrenching story of Kani inside Tihar.  Whether the series planned by the bi-weekly would have the desired impact and make people shed tears  remains to be seen.

It is ironic and unfortunate that godmen mint money using the dire situation of a family which is known for its atheistic traits.

Maran's Mangatha : Selvi to head Sun Network

Even as the clock is ticking for Maran Brothers…the recent raids conducted by the CBI seems to have rattled their entire family…except Karunanidhi, Rajathi Ammal…Whispers in Tamil Nadu earlier reported on what happened within the DMK’s first family after the raids…

Karunanidhi's balancing act 

With law catching up with Maran brother left…right and center…the family that proclaims and follows atheism is now seeking divine intervention…On one hand Maran’s family members are busy in conducting Yagam at several temples across the State. Last week Maran’s family conducted special poojas for half a day in Saibaba Temple at Mylapore.   The temple which used to be thronged by devotees was made inaccessible to the general public while Maran’s family occupied the temple.

With Kalanidhi and Dayanidhi Marans  are expecting their arrest anytime soon in connection with the spectrum loot…whispers doing rounds is that…KD Brothers are extremely worried about their business establishment...nowadays Marans are busy in making post-arrest plans…since Kaveri Kalanidhi Maran’s name is also being dragged into this issue because of her stakes in Sun Network.  Though subsequently recovered, Sun TV’s stocks tanked following the CBI’s assertion in Supreme Court about the FIR against Marans.     Shares of Sun TV which saw a 52 week high of Rs.556 is now trading at Rs.274. 

Whispers doing the rounds is that Maran brothers have asked Selvi to take care of their business empire. Selvi is already managing the affairs of Sun Group’s Kannada Channel Udaya TV. This decision has been taken by KD brothers after seeing how Corporates honchos and politicians are struggling to secure bail in the 2G case. Whereas Maran’s are concerned they belong to both communities... corporates and politicians. So they fear that things will be very difficult for them and Marans sense that this will take a serious toll on their business empire and will hamper their operations.

As many in the DMK are celebrating the fall of the Marans…and all the power centers in the family like M K Azhagiri, M K Stalin and Kanimozhi clearly distancing themselves…Maran brothers are left with no other option except to depend on Karunanidhi’s elder daughter Selvi…as she is the only person who acts as a bridge between Karunanidhi and the Marans.  The dilemma of Marans is in not finding a capable person to don the mantle but a trusted persos who won’t become a Judas.

In this tough time, his close friends who held crucial posts in Sun Group are also reluctant to stand by Kalanidhi and Dayanidhi Maran fearing witch hunt by both the CBI and the state police.  The reluctance of Marans friends to take up responsibility is after witnessing the harrowing experiences of  Kalanithi’s second-in-command Hansraj Saxena. In fact, relationship between Saxena and Kalanithi has gone so sour that Kalanithi has gone to the extent of calling Saxena a traitor.

Key Sun Network official RMR Ramesh, who is seen defending Kalanidhi and Dayanidhi Maran…has also come under the State government’s scanner as he will be the next person stepping into Hansraj Saxena’s shoes…

Maran brothers are not afraid of outside enemies or business rivals…but enemies are within the DMK’s first family…and now their biggest worry is not about getting arrested…but saving their business from their rivals who are within the DMK family.

Whether Selvi, can don the Sun empire with the same savoir-faire of the Maran brothers remains to be seen.

  

Amma’s double whammy…..!!!

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has given a double whammy to her detractors by making a last ditch effort to avoid personal appearance in the 66 crore wealth case against her in the Bengaluru Special Court.  Earlier in September, Jayalalitha had made an application before the Apex court in which she cited security concerns for exempting her from appearing in the special court.  The court had directed the Karnataka government to make adequate security arrangements and sought Jayalalitha’s convenient date for appearance for which she chose October 20…a day after the local body elections. Sources say the election date was decided by the State Election Commission keeping Jaya’s wealth case in mind.

Jayalalitha’s volte face to postpone her appearance has raised many eyebrows in legal circles.  The trial against her has reached a crucial stage and repeatedly filing petition after petition in the courts may hamper her case and would leave her out of options.   However Amma was persistent and filed yet another petition in the Supreme Court for postponement of her appearance as the Karnataka government has failed to provide the details of security arranged for her appearance.  She has also adopted a ground in her petition that since she is under NSG cover, the NSG guards have to be informed well in advance about the arrangements made and they have to visit the location beforehand.

Whispers doing rounds is that…Jayalalitha’s sudden change of heart to refrain from appearing may have something to do with the arrest of former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S.Yedyurappa.  An arrest warrant was issued against him based on charges of corruption and to evade arrest, Yeddy surrendered before the court amidst high drama… Former Chief MInister B.S.Yedyurappa and his former minister's Reddy Brothers are in the Parappana Agrahara (Central Prison) in Bengaluru.

Ironically Justice Mallikarjunaiah has also chosen the same Parappana Agrahara as the venue for Jayalalitha to appear on the 20^th of October.  When the Supreme Court directed the Bengaluru Special Court to make adequate arrangements for Amma’s security, the Judge directed the Karnataka police to come up with suggestions. The Bengaluru Commissioner of Police suggested the Judicial Academy, Balabrooie Guest House, Jakkkur Flying School and the Special Court inside the Parappana Agrahara (Central Prison).

Though Jayalalitha’s counsel opted for the Flying school as a favorable venue, the Judge chose Parappana Agrahara.  If Jayalalitha makes her appearance on October 20 in Bengaluru, technically she will be entering the same prison where former Karnataka Chief Minister landed last week.  Yeddy and Reddy as an accused in judicial custody and Jaya as an accused facing trial, but both on corruption charges…this will be the perfect timing for the DMK to dent Jaya’s image.

Parappana Agrahara (Central Prison)

As the DMK is ready with its game plan as Jayalilathaa was expected to make personal appearance…a desperate Jayalilathaa is making a final attempt to evade yet another embarrassment at a time when the issue of corruption is rocking the country…However the Cavuery issue which was in the back burner came handy for the Queen Bee…

Jayalilathaa immediately shot off a letter to Prime Minister demanding the final Tribunal order should be published in the gazette as required under section 6(1) of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956. The timing of the letter has raised many eyebrows as the Cauvery issue was in the back burner for quite some time owing to the adequate monsoon rains and political reasons.

Why Jayalilathaa wanted to rake up this issue? The reason is quite simple …Cauvery issue has always been a volcanic issue between the two neighboring states…  Any order favoring Tamil Nadu would quickly trigger law and order situation in Karnataka as linguistic chauvinists in Karnataka will oppose it for political mileage. After putting things into place…a desperate Jaya once again approached the Supreme Court seeking expemtion from personal appearance due to security reasons.

Well there is every possibility that the Apex court may defer the date of appearance from October 20^th to some other date till adequate security arrangements are made.

Sources say Jayalilathaa has decided to take up the Cavuery issue seriously with the Center…so that Kannada chauvinistic forces may vehemently oppose her entry into the State. Since it’s a matter of State’s interest including the DMK all other political parties will left with no other option except to back Jayalilathaa…While all this is happening whispers doing rounds is that Jayalilathaa’s plan is to again approach the Supreme Court to shift the Bengaluru Court to Tamil Nadu for making her personal appearance citing the volatile situation in Karnataka.

Sensing Jayalilathaa’s larger game plan the DMK Chief Karunanidhi was quick to react to Jayalalitha’s move on Cauvery stating that Jayalalitha’s only wish is to get adjournment and that is why she is raking up the Cauvery issue.

Sources in the Central Government say it is for the NSG to object to paucity of time to inspect the place of Jaya’s visit. But the DMK is also likely to take up this issue with the Home Minister who controls NSG to expose Jayalilathaa’s desperate “drama”. An interesting point to be noted is that Home Minister P Chidambarm is Jaya’s yet another arch rival.  During her first visit to Delhi after assuming charge as the Chief Minister…Jayalilathaa demanded P Chidambaram’s resignation saying he fudged 2009 election results. Also when the issue of internal bickering between two senior ministers of the UPA was out in open…Jayalilathaa once again demanded his resignation…Chidambaram's loyalists in the State are accusing Jaya of indirectly targeting their leader once again.

With DMK making serious efforts to raise from the rubble and making full fledged preparations to gain maximum political mileage out of Jaya’s appearance in court on charges of corruption, as the issue of corruption is hotly debated all over the country, Amma is desperate for a temporary reprieve.

Whether Amma’s double whammy would yield results and get her a reprieve from Supreme Court would be known today. While on one hand Jaya is trying her luck...on the other elaborate arrangements have been made in Chennai for Jayalilathaa's visit to Bengaluru... 

Low voter turnout – Whose gaining?

Amid a campaign that the local body elections will be marred by violence and booth capturing… much to the surprise of many it turned out to be a low-key affair…The biggest of all surprises is Chennai Corporation, that saw a voter turnout of just 48%. The past elections for Chennai Corporation has always seen brisk voting along with incidents of mass violence…but this time things were totally different and surprising not only for journalists but also for all the political parties. Including Chennai there was a lukewarm response for the political parties call.

Whiel the Tamil Nadu assembly elections which concluded in April 2011 saw a record turn out of 75 to 80%...and quite on expected lines the results proved the people’s anger against the then ruling DMK. Well, for other political parties it may be yet another election…but for Jayalilathaa it’s a litmus test for her 5 month rule in Tamil Nadu.  Sources say Jayalilathaa is quite disappointed with the numbers that have come out at the end of the day in the name of polling percentage…

Chief Minister has asked the State Intelligence to prepare a detailed report on why there was a low voter turnout and what are the reasons? …

Ever since elections were announced in the State…it was a low key affair…neither the poll campaign took off well for all the parties…nor the people were ready to listen to yet another set of fresh poll campaign’s and promises…

The State Intelligence that conducted a pre-poll survey…gave its report to the Chief Minister, that the campaign by the AIADMK members did not go too well with the people…that is why Jayalilathaa decided to hit the campaign trail its final stages…Whispers in Tamil Nadu had already reported on how Jaya’s camp was jittery ahead of the local body polls….

http://www.whispersintamilnadu.com/2011/10/is-aiadmk-camp-jittery.html

Despite desperate measures by the AIADMK the elections turned out to be a low key affair…does this mean that the people are not so enthused about Amma’s five month rule?? Political analysts say there could be more than one reason…

The bad publicity attracted by Jayalilathaa’s government in the obstinate handling of the Samacheer Kalvi issue by keeping the students without any syllabus or books for more than a month till the apex court’s verdict…this has highly irritated the parents as well as teachers.  

The brutal police firing and killing of 6 persons in Paramakudi and Jaya’s subsequent stand justifying the police action by calling it a caste clash has also not gone down well with the people of southern districts…particularly Dalits across the State.

The way Jayalilathaa treated her allies has also made people to lose interest in the local polls.  During the Assembly elections when Jaya released the candidates list even as talks were going on with alliance partners…it created a flutter in Tamil Nadu politics…but then she said its was a human error and the list was released without her consent. But this time too Jayalilathaa adopted the same strategy to dump her allies…making it clear that she is still arrogant. So people came to a foregone conclusion that Jayalalitha ditched her allies only with game plan to win the elections using government machinery…and many of them saw the polling day as holiday and were busy in Diwali shopping. Was going it alone in the elections considered as Jaya’s biggest mistake??

Arresting DMK’s key personalities under land grab act is slowly taking the form of witch hunt.  Jayalalitha filing disproportionate assets case against former DMK Ministers while she herself is facing an asset case in Bengaluru also remains as a thorn in the flesh.

While all these factors are loaded against Amma, the DMK is reeling under the onslaught of a barrage of cases against its leaders.  While the DMK Supremo is not able campaign actively, it was left out to its second level leaders to take the responsibility.   Most of the second level leaders are facing police action one way or other.   In fact, K.N.Nehru, who was out of prison on the last day of his campaigning chose to be in Chennai rather than use the last day for campaigning in the Trichy bye-poll.

Further DMK is yet wriggle out of the 2G Scam as two of its prominent leaders cool their heels in Tihar with no hope of coming out of jail in the near future…and Just days ahead of the polling Kalanidhi and Dayanidhi Maran were raided by the CBI in the 2G case….

But the major factor in favour of the DMK is its strong vote bank, which is intact in spite of the huge anti-incumbency wave.  

The low turn out of voters in Tamil Nadu only goes to prove that the battle is equally poised and not in favour of anyone.  With just one more phase to go, it appears that it’s not a cake walk for Amma…as she is still expecting...

Whispers in TN was the first to expose Subramania Swamy's game plan

Whispers In Tamil Nadu was the first to put it out Dr.Subramaniam Swamy’s  Prime Ministerial Ambitions” in public domain… he had a clear game plan and how he is successful fishing in troubled waters to become a strong contender for the Post of Prime Minister… The news just got confirmed…and it was confirmed by none other than Subramaniam Swamy himself on twitter

@Swamy39 Just returned from Kanpur. Very impressive meeting organised by VHP/RSS.Next Blr 19th, and Jammu on 23rd. Ranchi-Varanasi-Ballia 29-31.

Sources say the Kudunkulam Anti-Nuclear protest and the actively involvement of the church was discussed in the meeting and it was resolved that RSS will actively campaign against the involvement of Church in this anti-nuclear protest.

On one hand the Intelligence Bureau is making desperate attempts to create a rift between the organizers who are leading the protest…However, IB’s first attempt to distribute pamphlet claiming Anti-Nuclear activist Udaykumar who is leading the protest is a CIA agent turned futile. Sources in the IB department say the next attempt was to bring Bala Prajapathi Adigalar into the picture to so that they can create divisions among the protestors on communal lines…but that seems to have failed too…On the other Swamy is playing his own game...

It’s quite obvious that Dr. Subramaniam Swamy has the habit of fishing in troubled waters…Well as expected now he is here to give a communal twist to this people’s movement against nuclear power.

Swamy is in pursuit of his game plan hotly to reassure RSS that he is toeing the hardcore hindutuva line.  Even as the agitation of the people of Koodankulam, Thoothukudi District against the Nuclear Power Plant is widely covered by the media, there is no denying that the church is actively taking part in the agitation…but Subramaniam Swamy just gave it a new twist (Read an RSS twist)

In his letter addressed to Manmohan today Swamy says: “I demand an explanation from the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh as to why his Secretary Mr. Pulok Chatterji, with the help of the Maharashtra Chief Minister Mr. Prithviraj Chavan, has entered into negotiations with the Catholic Church in Mumbai to help resolve the protests taking place against the Kudankulam Nuclear Plant. Does this mean that the Catholic Church is behind the agitation in which case it is highly objectionable and calls for action under IPC Sections 153A & B, 295A and 505(2). It also exposes that the PMO is under the clutches of the Catholic Church probably due to the extra-constitutional authority exercised by the now ailing Ms Sonia Gandhi who appears to regard Mr. Pulok Chatterji with the PMO as her personal civil domestic servant judging by his role when she was hospitalized in New York. During the period of her hospitalization, Mr. Pulok Chatterji was frequently seen arranging for pizza and other snacks for her large Italian entourage numbering about fifty and living in plush apartments in New York close to the hospital.

The Prime Minister, if he is committed to secular, that is, not prejudiced against the majority Hindu community and biased in favour of the Christians because they are patrons of Ms. Sonia Gandhi, should put an end to this condemnable negotiation on the viability of the Kudankulam Plant. The Church has no business to decide whatsoever on whether a new reactor set up after Government approval is to be opposed or supported. Let the Catholic Church restrict itself to religious matters otherwise persons like myself would be free to investigate the practices of the Church such as in appointment of Bishops on direction from the Vatican, and receipt of funds from abroad.”

It is true that Swamy has every right to raise an issue about the participation of Catholic Church in an agitation against N-plant.  But writing such a letter immediately after attending the RSS’s Sarsangchalak raises eyebrows whether Swamy is fanning Hindu sentiments to get cozier with the RSS apparently with an eye on BJP party president post.

Dr.Swamy’s attack on Sonia Gandhi is also seen as a move to take RSS into confidence that he will toe a ‘hard core hindutva’ line upon RSS’s instructions.

Swamy’s first gameplan was to attack the Muslim community and make RSS happy.  Now Swamy has attacked Christians and the church and entered part 2 of his game plan.   How far Dr.Swamy will succeed in his Coup d'état  remains to be seen.

Subramaniam Swamy and his Prime Ministerial ambitions!

Even as the ruling Congress party is not sure about who will be their party’s Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 General elections…and the principle opposition BJP, is witnessing one of its worst internal bickering in the politics of “Kaun Banega Prime Minister”…as there are too many aspirants in the party for the top Job. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, UP Chief Minister Mayawati are also trying different routes to reach 7RCR…!!!

Dr. Subramanian Swamy, who is known as the “One Man Demolisher” in Indian politics…Now he is known as the “Conscience of the nation” after exposing the great 2G spectrum robbery….Whispers doing rounds is that Dr.Swamy is also hotly pursuing his dream of becoming the Prime Minister…and to achieve his dream, Dr.Swamy is now actively fishing in troubled waters…the Bharathiya Janata Party to try his luck to reach the hot seat.

Among the hats Swamy wore were Professor of Economics, Member of IIT Board, Member of Parliament, Member of Planning Commission, Cabinet Minister for Commerce and Law, author and of course the founder President of the Janata Party and now he wants to try for the top job as well.

Swamy is known for his dramatic allegations without any basis or evidence.   In March 2001 Swamy alleged that Rahul Gandhi and his mother’s family; the Mainos are agents of the Russian Intelligence agency KGB.

Dr.Swamy was in the forefront in the onslaught against the Jayalalitha government in 1991 accusing Jayalilathaa of being corrupt and ensured that she is prosecuted. It was based on Swamy’s complaint the ongoing Disproportionate assets case was slapped on Jayalilathaa which is haunting her even today.

  

When the BJP formed the government in 1998 for a brief period Dr.Swamy’s name was doing the rounds for the post of Finance Minister.  But Swamy had to eat humble pie after the RSS stiffly opposed his nomination.  But now life has come a full circle for this one man demolisher.

  

Sources tell Whispers in Tamil Nadu that the now Swamy has the full backing of RSS and a decision to merge Swamy’s Janata party with the BJP is on the cards.  But, the infighting among the top leaders in the BJP is likely to ruin Swamy from turning his dreams into reality. 

Insiders say Swamy’s recent inflammatory article stating Hindus are the ancestors of all Muslims and that Muslims should accept Hindus’ superiority and live in India as a secondary citizens… is nothing but a calculated move by Dr.Swamy to show that he is ready to toe the hardcore Hindutva line and also to resurface into the good books of RSS once again.

However, the lackadaisical decision of the Delhi police to register an FIR after a lapse of 3 months has given more fodder to Swamy’s cannon as he dares them to arrest. Swamy has not moved the court for anticipatory bail.   Sources say Swamy is very keen on getting arrested in this case, as it would raise his image and stakes in RSS that has a larger say in the affairs of the BJP.

It’s an open secret that Swamy has the ability to spell danger for both friends and foes. However over the years he has cleverly carved a niche to remain the Indian political arena. The BJP, too wants to share a pie in the Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption wave has made corruption as its core agenda.  Dr.Swamy’s induction in the party may yield a few votes.    

It is true that Swamy has become the darling of the educated upper class in India after the 2G Scam broke. But insiders say both the RSS and the BJP leadership is in the process of assessing weather Swamy’s induction into the party will be an asset or a liability...well one thing that needs to be noted is Subramaniam Swamy's Twitter status message... It says "I give as good as I get" ...!!!

The Media Report!!!

Though electronic media has underwent a humongous growth at the national level, the growth of electronic media in Tamil Nadu is rather timid.   While the national media is backed by corporate giants electronic media in Tamil Nadu still remains as the mouthpiece of Kazhagam's and Katchi's.   The cable revolution introduced Sun TV in Tamil Nadu with the strong backing of DMK party and its leader Karunanidhi.   The growth of Sun TV almost killed Doordarshan.   Sun TV saw a phenomenal growth in the early nineties acting almost as the only opposition party in the State whenever the AIADMK is in power.

Jayalalitha who understood the potential of the cable phenomenon started JJ TV to counter the onslaught of Maran's owned Sun TV.    The subsequent entry by liquor baron Vijay Mallaya with the channel ‘GEC’ failed to take off due to the shrewd political maneuvers by the KD brothers.

Now the entry of ‘Pudhiya Thalaimurai’ TV of the SRM group has raised hopes that a non-political news channel is in the offing.  But alas !  SRM Group's new  channel has turned out to be a monotonous news channel without any focus neither political nor social.   Sources in the media say Srinivasan who was in Aaj Tak/Headlines Today had quit the national media with the belief that at last there is a non-political channel with editorial liberty in Tamil Nadu.  But grapevine has it...that the SRM management has made the channel to do a volte face in the matter of Koodankulam nuclear plant issue.    The channel which was vociferous in its coverage and support to the agitators has done a somersault and is found actively canvassing FOR the nuclear plant which has agitated the anti-nuclear activists in the State.

Pudhiya Thalaimurai is in search of good journalists with a better and different news perspective which they find it hard and when it comes to perspective alone the chances of their desperate search becomes bleak . Though the channel is offering far better salaries than others in the industry, good talent is hard to find say sources.  Due to these difficulties the channel appears to be struggling to focus both politically and socially...which is considered to be the need of the hour by many.

Whether the Pudhiya Thalaimurai channel is running with focus or not, it has rattled the administration of Sun TV big time.   Sun TV has a history of paying a pittance to its employees and treat them like bonded labrours and . Media sources say the staff of Sun TV used to be abused in filthy language by the management.   Barring a few, Sun TV reporters would never be shown on camera as the management felt that no reporter should get popular which would result in demanding higher pay. Nervous about the patters of news in Pudhiya Thalaimurai sources say Kalanithi Maran had pulled up Raja, news editor of Sun TV and instructed to pull up the socks and make drastic changes.    Within a couple of days of  Pudhiya Thalaimurai going on air, Sun News saw dramatic changes and that too overnight.  

Makkal TV which claims as a neutral channel...as things changed it became yet another mouth piece of Pattali Makkal Katchi. The channel is now witnessing a cash crunch following the expiry of tenure of Rajya Sabha MP seat of ‘Doctor Chinna Ayya’ Anbumani.  Anbumani who was milking the cash cow viz. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was not able to pump in funds as he use to be...now things have changed and now running Makkal TV has become a prestige issue for Dr.Ramadoss.   Sowmya Anbumani who was managing the affairs of the channel seems to have lost interest say sources.  Due to the cash crunch many employees of Makkal TV were in the process of jumping out of the ship and joining Pudhiya Thalaimurai. Whispers in Journalistic circles is that PMK founder and Makkal TV "GOD FATHER" Dr.Ramadoss had personally spoken to Pachamuthu, of the SRM group not to hire anyone from makkal TV.

NDTV HINDU : The only English channel, a joint venture between NDTV and The Hindu that had raised hopes when it was launched the State, is becoming a history. At the time of its launch Senior Journalist Jeniffer Arul, was placed in charge.  Subsequently she was sidelined and the mantle was handed over to Sanjay Pinto . Sources say Sanjay Pinto's attempts to make this channel a dynamic one did not take off and it became  stale without any sting in the news.   In fact, insiders from the channel add that Sanjay Pinto himself had encouraged many of the channel’s staff members to quit the channel.    Under the administration of Sanjay Pinto, NDTV HINDU suffered heavy losses and The Hindu management, which is already reeling under infighting, decided to call it quits.

Dr.Jawahar Palaniappan who is on a war path with his former partner Varadharajan over ownership issues,  had shown some interest in taking over the channel but the efforts were not fruitful.

Finally Daily Thanthi Group has taken over the management of NDTV HINDU and has decided to run the channel with 60-80 % Tamil content and 20-30% English content. This process has just begun...one will have to wait and see the channel that promised "Nothing but Truth" will have at least have this tag under the new ownership...Since it has been taken over by Daily Thanthi group...the whispers doing rounds among journalistic circles is that one cannot expect anything more...but many are happy that they can see Daily Thanthi paper visually instead of reading it.

The dearth of quality news channels in Tamil can be attributed to the iron hold of the KD brothers in the cable industry...

Unlike the national scenario where the English channels like (which have their own AGENDA), Times Now, CNN IBN, NDTV, Headlines Today and News X  who compete (and always go overboard) in the world of BREAKING NEWS, channels in Tamil Nadu compete with each other to give one sided stories to suit their needs and to keep Kazhagam's and Katchi's in good humour. 

Looks like the expectation of an unbiased local news channel in the state will rather be a dream forever.