Jayalalitha : The God Mother?

It looks like a scene straight out of Mario Puzo’s ‘God Father’.   But unlike the Sicilian Mafia’s operations where muscle men are used to finish-off enemies, Amma’s uses the state machinery to silence her ‘friend turned foes’. 

Jayalalitha appears to be determined to decimate her enemies and emerge victorious in the battle between her and her erstwhile confidantes. Like the Don Vito Coreleone Jayalalitha is systematically eliminating her enemies one by one.   Exactly like the Sicilian Mafia who don’t take kindly to treacheries, Jayalalitha too is not taking the treacherous acts of her former confidante Sasikala lightly.

But, before annihilating her treacherous friends, Jayalalitha also want to ensure that they don’t turn their back in the assets case against her in the Bengaluru Special Court which has entered its crucial stages and the outcome of this case is something that will determine her political future.

The case against Jayalalitha is that she was in possession of assets disproportionate to her known sources of income to the tune of Rs.66.5 crores between the period 1991 to 1996 when she was Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.  While Jayalaitha is A.1 in this case, Sasikala, Ilavarasi and Sudakaran are the remaining accused. The case which went through a maze of legal hurdles is about to reach its finality in the Bengaluru Special Court.  The trial which was continuing in Chennai was transferred to a Special Court in Bengaluru following the order of the Supreme Court on a petition filed by DMK General Secretary K.Anbalagan.

The case which went to trial in 1997 hit as many roadblocks as possible – courtesy the influential people in the case.   After 15 long years, while the case is reaching its finality, it appears that Amma and her well wishers are pulling strings to wriggle out of the only noose dangling around Jaya's neck.

While Jayalalitha’s turn to answer the court’s questions under Section 313 Cr.P.C. is completed, it is now the turn of Sasikala, Ilavarasi and Sudakaran to answer the questions.   While the trial has reached a crucial stage, the defense so far mounted by Jayalalitha in the assets case has become very complex.   While Jayalalitha holds a substantial part of the 66.65 crores of assets, Sasikala, Ilavarasi and Sudakaran hold sizeable assets in their name, which the DVAC has charged as benami properties of Jayalalitha. 

Following the expulsion of the MM cartel members from Jaya’s poes garden residence, things have become very complicated for Amma in the assets case.    If the Judge of the Bengaluru Special Court asks a simple question whether you bought the properties on behalf of Jayalalitha, and Sasikala nods her head it will all be over for Jayalalitha.    Jayalalitha’s life and career now depends on the answer of Sasikala and others for the questions under Section 313 Cr. P.C, since Jayalalitha is the only public servant in the case and Prevention of Corruption Act concentrates only on public servants. 

So what is the Amma's gameplan ?   Whispers doing rounds in Tamil Nadu's political circles is that Amma has resorted to the age old plan of the Sicilian Mafia – Threaten the family of the witnesses. 

Ever since the exit of MM cartel from Amma’s household, rumours were agog about the impending arrest and incarceration of the members of MM cartel.   The choice of the MM cartel members who are first to face men in Khakhi reveals a lot about the game plan of Amma.   Amma chose Ravanan and Diwakaran, to administer the threat as the duo are emotionally closest to Sasikala.  Diwakaran is Sasikala’s youngest brother, and Ravanan is Sasikala’s uncle’s son-in-law.    While Diwakaran is emotionally very close to Sasikala he being the last of the sibling, Ravanan commanded tremendous respect with Sasikala as he refused to re-marry following the early death of his wife and raised his son alone.

So, Amma decided to hit Sasikala, where it hurts the most and thus convey a stern message. Either my-way or Highway. Whispers doing rounds in Khakhi circles is that Amma has instructed the police to pick up Diwakaran and Ravanan and ensure that they remain behind bars.

Both Diwakaran and Ravanan were slapped with a couple of cases.   The first case against Diwakaran is that was instrumental in the demolition of the house of one Kasthuri of Rishiyur Village, Needamangalam.    Kasthuri had alleged that Diwakaran was behind the demolition and Diwakaran intimidated her.

The second case registered against Diwakaran is based on a complaint by one Saravanan of Edaiyur.  He had alleged in his complaint that Diwakaran had threatened and obtained Rs.1 lakh at knife point. 

On the other hand, the cases registered against Ravanan are the height of absurdity.    Based on the complaint of one Ravikumar, a contractor at Sirumugai in the Coimbatore that he was abducted by him in October last year and Rs.10 lakh was sought as ransom for his release and to continue his business a case was registered and Ravanan was arrested.

Ravanan was arrested in the second case last week by the Chennai City Police.  The complainant, R Krishna moorthy, managing director of RK Imay Property Developers, had alleged that he had paid the sum for getting a sand quarry license in Karur but neither he got the license nor Ravanan repaid the amount. Ravanan and two others had threatened the petitioner with dire consequences.   The complainant in the second case against Ravanan is one Krishnamoorthy @ Mannarai Moorthy.   This Krishnamoorthy is an accused in three cheating cases at the Thiruppur Central Crime Branch.  The Thiruppur Central Crime Branch has registered three cases against Krishnamurthy in  Cr. No. 12/2009, Cr. No. 26/2008 and in Cr. No.1/2011. Interestingly in one of the cases, Krishnamurthy is the co-accused along with Lottery Baron San Diego Martin.

The police never bothered to interrogate either Diwakaran or Ravanan say insiders.  Though the Tamil bi-weeklies invariably carry stories planted by the police that both Ravanan and Diwakaran had been giving out details about their collection spree, sources tell whispers in Tamil Nadu that the police were clueless on what to ask to the duo.   Even during the custodial interrogation of Ravanan by Chennai City Police, not even a single question was posed to Ravanan.

Ravanan and Diwakaran are the first pawns in Amma’s dangerous game of deceit. Unlike Diwakaran and Ravanan, Jaya and her well wishers’ diabolic designs failed to work in the case of Special Public Prosecutor B.V.Acharya. The Supreme Court while transferring the trial from Tamil Nadu to Karnataka ordered that “The State of Karnataka in consultation with the Chief Justice of High Court of Karnataka shall appoint a senior lawyer having experience in criminal trials as public prosecutor to conduct these cases.”   Acharya, who was the Advocate General of the Karnataka government is considered as one of the best legal brains in Karnataka was the Advocate General of Karnataka during the chief ministership of Veerendra Patil, Veerappa Moily and even during President’s rule.   

Now with B V Acharya, throwing a bombshell by saying he was pressurized to quit as Special Public Prosecutor from Jaya's assets case. Once again the entire focus is shifted on Jaya's DA case. The DMK is closely monitoring each and every development and chalking out strategies to ensure that the case moves in the right direction.

 Acharya who resigned from the post of Advocate General of Karnataka said,  “For some time, there has been terrible pressure on me to resign from the position of SPP, and I have been resisting it. The State government was apparently under pressure from its central leadership [BJP] that I should quit from the position of SPP in the case against Ms. Jayalalithaa. I was appointed SPP in the case against Ms. Jayalalithaa on the recommendation of the then Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. The direction for appointment of senior counsel as SPP was given by the Supreme Court while transferring the trial of the disproportionate assets case to Karnataka from Tamil Nadu. I am not willing to give up the responsibility of SPP as I was chosen for that assignment by the then Chief Justice.”   Both the DMK and the Congress were quick to term pressure on Acharya as ‘quid-pro-quo’ between AIADMK and BJP.

Whispers doing rounds in political circles across the country is that, Jayalalitha, who is found hobnobbing with the saffron brigade for quite sometime has apparently pulled her strings with the BJP leadership, albeit maintaining an equidistance from both BJP and Congress. Now,   Acharya’s revelations has stripped the mask from the BJP which is putting up a brave face as ‘crusader against corruption’.  The candid admission by Acharya that BJP top leadership had pressurized him to resign from the post of Special Public Prosecutor naturally explains Amma’s continuous tirade against the Congress. Whispers doing rounds is that now things have gone to a level where even the BJP will not be in a position to help Jaya.

With the move of Jaya and her well wishers to remove Special Public Prosecutor Acharya having miserably backfired, whether the enigmatic sphinx of Tamil Nadu has any other ace up her sleeve, remains to be seen.

Chief Secretary Sarangi to be shown the door ?

If whispers in Secretariat are to be believed, Tamil Nadu’s Chief Secretary and erstwhile blue-eyed boy Debendranath Sarangi, is likely to be shown the door.

Debendranath Sarangi, the top bureaucrat in Tamil Nadu used to be very close to the DMK regime in the past.    In fact, K.N.Nehru, who was one of the biggest looters in the DMK regime, handpicked Sarangi for the post of Transport Secretary.  Nehru’s loot in the Transport Department has no par. Sarangi, during his tenure as Transport Secretary, gave his tacit cooperation to K.N.Nehru in his loot, say sources.   Sarangi’s clout in the DMK regime is attributed to his mentor and former Chief Secretary K.S.Sripathi.   Sripathi, with whom Sarangi is reported to be very close maintains his contacts with him, even now, say sources.

In 2009, Sarangi was shifted as Environment Secretary where he stayed for about a year. Following his stint as Environment Secretary, Sarangi was posted to the Tamil Nadu Industrial Corporation in September 2010, where he continued till he was made the Chief Secretary by Jayalalitha in May 2011.  During his tenure as Chairman, TIDCO, Sarangi is reported to have purchased a Home Theater system worth Rs.5 lakhs, from TIDEL park funds.  TIDEL park comes under the control Of TIDCO.

Former Chief Secretary Sripathi, who became the Chief Information Commissioner of Tamil Nadu courted trouble when a complaint was filed against him for securing a flat meant for bureaucrats, after his retirement.   According to media reports the complaint has been sent to the Governor and a report has been sought from the Chief Secretary. Owing to the close camaraderie between Sarangi and Sripathi, the former has promised a helping hand in closing the issue for Sripathi, say sources.    

Jayalalitha made Debendranath as her Chief Secretary immediately after assuming charge, shunting off the former CS S.Malathi to an insignificant post.  The buzzword in IAS circles is that Jayalalitha was not aware of the dubious background of Sarangi and had she been aware, Sarangi might be adorning any one of the post of Commissioner for Disciplinary Proceedings.  Sarangi is reported to be very close to KD brothers and it was Sarangi, who as Revenue Secretary extended the lease for Golf Club to ‘India Cements’ Srinivasan on the instigation of KD brothers.   Sarangi is also reported to be very close to the granite lobby – Pallava Granites, Gem Granites, PRP granites, etc.

After becoming the Chief Secretary, Sarangi was the reason for the creation of what is called the ‘Odisha lobby’.   Sarangi was instrumental in ensuring that officers from Odisha are placed in key positions.    The posting of J.K.Tripathy as Chennai City Commissioner and K.C.Mahali as Coimbatore City Commissioner is attributed to Sarangi.   Even after allegation of high handedness by Rajesh Das both in Paramakudi and during the Mullai Periyar agitations, it was Sarangi who protected Rajesh Das as a godfather.

In the subsequent reshuffles too, Sarangi had a role to play and he played it with perfection, add sources.  When Jayalalitha was upset about her new Home Secretary Sheela Rani Chunkath and wanted a replacement, it was Sarangi who suggested the name of Rameshram Mishra, who also belong to the Odisha clan.    When the MM cartel were expelled and Jayalalitha wanted a change in the intelligence wing, the initial suggestion made by DGP Ramanujam was to bring in Tamil Nadu cadre IPS officer T.V.Ravichandran.  Ravichandran is now serving in the Intelligence Bureau from 2003.    Sources say, even Ravichandran’s consent was obtained by Ramanujam.   But, all of a sudden Sarangi brought another member of Odisha lobby, Amresh Pujari as Inspector General of Intelligence, say sources.

After becoming Chief Secretary Sarangi is reported to be involved in a spat in the Madras Cricket Club. Sarangi who use to have drinks with mentor Sripathi, went to the Club on 2^nd October forgetting that it is a dry day.  In spite of the bearer informing that it is a dry day, Sarangi flaunted his present position and was supplied with drinks much to the ire of the other members.  The other members who were denied drinks, were cursing ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ for the ‘dry day’.   

Now, luck appear to be running out of Sarangi, as Amma’s ire is turned towards Sarangi say fort st George sources.

With the assets case dangling like a Damocles sword over her head, Jayalalitha was very desperate for some sort of relief.  The MM cartel is also adding fuel to Jaya’s anxiousness.    Jayalalitha who was hoping against hopes for a relief from the Supreme Court was disappointed when the Apex court refused to intervene.

In fact the set back for Jaya is attributed to Sarangi’s decision to send a communiqué to the Investigating Officer in Jaya’s assets case – G.Sambandham.

In his petition submitted before the Bengaluru Special Court, which is hearing Jayalalitha’s assets case, Sambandham wrote “It is submitted that the review meeting of the Chief Secretary and Commissioner for Administrative Reforms taken place on 3.6.2011 at Chennai relating to the cases pending at the Special Investigation Cell, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption and the Chief Secretary has pointed out certain lapses occurred in the Special Case No.208/2004  during investigation and directed to rectify the lapses, discrepancies, and infirmities pointed out by his D.O. Letter No.2998/VC III/2011 dated 8.6.2011.

Pursuant to such directions the Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption has also instructed to comply with the orders of the Government.”  Citing this, Sambandham in his petition went on to add that based on a Supreme Court judgment, he is proceeding with further investigation in Jaya’s assets case, without the orders of the Court.

DMK’s General Secretary K.Anbalagan, approached the Karnataka High Court and sought the quashing of the plea of the Investigating Officer for further investigation.   Justice V.Jagannathan of the Karnataka High Court observed in his order …

“What is clear from the contents of the aforesaid communication is  the following:

(i)             Further investigation is not sought by the Investigating Officer on his own volition.

(ii)      The I.O. did not notice any lapses in the investigation but it is the Chief Secretary who has pointed out certain lapses according to the letter.

(iii)    The Chief Secretary has directed the I.O. to rectify the lapses, discrepancies and the infirmities pointed by the Chief Secretary in his letter dated 8.6.11.

(iv)   The DVAC has been directed to comply with the objects of taking further investigation is said to be to rectify the lapses.

(v)          It is pursuant to the aforesaid directions that the DSP has thought it fit to take up further investigation. 

Thus it is clear that the need for further investigation arose not on account of the I.O. being satisfied to take up further investigation, but on the other hand, the promptness of the directions as well came from the Chief Secretary to the I.O.  In other words the I.O. did not find any lapses or discrepancies in the investigation, but it is the Chief Secretary who has pointed out the lapses to the I.O.”

This is the main ground adopted by the Karnataka High Court Judge to dismiss the DVAC’s plea for further investigation.   An order for further investigation would have enabled Jayalalitha to put the assets case against her permanently in cold storage or even manage to wriggle out of it.

Sources tell whispers that the lapse committed by Debendranath Sarangi in sending a D.O. letter to DVAC’s I.O. for further investigation, for which he is not competent to do so, has become the last nail in the coffin for Jayalalitha.

Jayalalitha’s fond hope of getting some sort of relief from the Apex Court was shattered when the Supreme Court not only disallowed DVAC’s plea for further investigation, but also gave a direction to the Trial court to “ direct the Trial Court to conclude the trial of the cases    as   expeditiously  as possible.”

With the odds stacking up against the top bureaucrat Debendranath Sarangi IAS, his days as Chief Secretary appears to be numbered.

Its not over Mr. Chidambaram!!!

Unlike the Shakespearean play, ‘All is well, that ends well’  it appears it won’t end well for Chidambaram.    The Special Court hearing the 2G plea could have given Chidambaram a new confidence when it dismissed Subramanian Swamy’s plea to add Chiddu as co - accused along with A.Raja in the 2G scam. Whispers doing rounds in the Delhi's North block is that Swamy's camp is already involved in finding out the "Chidambara Ragasiyam" - "Secrets of Chidambaram".

Special Court Judge, O.P.Saini, in his order said, “In the end, Mr. P. Chidambaram was party to only two decisions,  that is, keeping the spectrum prices at 2001 level and dilution of equity by the two companies. These two acts are not per se criminal. In the absence of any other incriminating act on his part, it cannot be said that he was prima facie party to the criminal conspiracy. There is no evidence on record that he was acting in pursuit to the criminal conspiracy, while being party to the two decisions regarding non-revision of the spectrum pricing and dilution of equity by the two companies.”

According to legal circles, there is every possibility that this judgment gets reversed in higher courts exactly like Chiddu’s fortunes. It is true that Subramanian Swamy did not have enough evidence against Chidambaram except for a few documents which he got from the North block and on court's direction. In the name of exposing Chidambaram, Subramanian Swamy was busy in blowing his own trumpet instead of putting up a water tight case against Chidambaram. 

Whispers doing rounds in New Delhi circles is that, Swamy's camp is now probing another angle of Chidu's involvement in the 2G scam.  It was during Dayanidhi Maran's tenure. According to CBI’s FIR against the Dayanidhi Maran, “On December 26, 2005, Aircel was taken over by Global Communications, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Maxis Communications, and Deccan Digital Network, a joint venture company formed between Sindya Securities and Global Communications.”

Aircel, a firm started by Sivasankaran, is a joint venture between Maxis Communications Berhad of Malaysia and Sindya Securities & Investments Private Limited, whose shareholders are the Reddy family of Chennai, with Maxis Communications holding a majority stake of 74% according to its website.

Suneeta Reddy

Apollo Hospital’s promoter Pradhap Reddy had clarified at the time of registration of CBI’s FIR that Sindya Securities and Investments Pvt Ltd are promoted by P Dwarakanath Reddy and Suneeta Reddy have investments in Aircel entity and this is a strategic investment in telecom sector, which was a growing business opportunity. Suneeta Reddy is the daughter of Pradhap Reddy. Why would a popular hospital make investments in telecom sector which they claim as ‘a growing business opportunity’  is the question lingering in the minds of many business brains? So far neither Reddy nor anyone has answered this question. 

The buzz in business circles and medical circles is that the investment in Aircel by Apollo is a ‘quid pro quo’.  Srinithi Chidambaram, who is married to Chiddu’s son Karthick Chidambaram is working as a physician in Apollo Hospitals.  Grapevine has it that, Chiddu was allotted shares of Apollo Hospitals from the promoters quota in the name of his daughter in law – Srinithi and in turn Chiddu allotted his share in the pie – Aircel to the ‘Reddys’.  

Whispers doing rounds in CBI circles is that, at the time when CBI raids were conducted at the residences of Dayanidhi and Kalanidhi Maran, a team of officials were present at Suneeta Reddy's residence in the posh locality of Nungambakkam. But neither there was any official confirmation from the CBI nor the Apollo hospitals. CBI insiders say a team of officials have gone there to ensure Srinithi Chidambaram's angle is never taken into consideration. 

Whispers doing rounds in TN Political circles is that The Mighty Marans who are aware of this dealing has made it clear that if the CBI moves an inch against them... it would hit Chidambaram.    This is the mystery behind the CBI’s reluctance in proceeding against the KD brothers.

The strong connection between Chiddu and Apollo and vice-versa could be seen from the decision of Apollo Hospital management to open a 110 bed hospital in Karaikudi, a sleepy town in Tamil Nadu, which is also the home town of P Chidambaram. Whispers doing rounds in medical circles say that the project was announced after Chiddu’s daughter-in-law was allotted with shares in Apollo Hospitals in 2009.

The Karaikudi Apollo Hospital was opened by none other than Manmohan Singh on 27 December 2011 in the presence of Chiddu. Why should the Prime Minister of a country spend his time to open a hospital in a sleepy town? CHIDDU.

Illustration : Tehelka

While the KD brothers received crores of rupees from Ananthakrishnan as a quid pro quo for arm twisting Sivasankaran – promoter of Aircel, sources say Chidambaram was allotted shares in his daughter-in-law Srinithi’s name as a quid pro quo for turning a Nelson’s eye to a gross violation.  According to the then existing norms, Foreign Direct Investment is not permitted in telecom sector beyond 74%.   However, Maxis in a filing with the Malaysian stock exchange, Bursa Malaysia, in March 2006 said it had an economic interest of 99.3% in Aircel, compared with its direct and indirect equity stake of 74%.

Whispers doing rounds in Delhi circles is that, an RSS think-tank is meticulously researching about ‘insider trading’ by Chiddu’s son Karthick Chidambaram when Chiddu was finance minister.  Research is also being conducted into the interest of Chiddu’s son Karthick Chidambaram into the astonishing growth of ‘Vasan Eye Care’, a chain of hospitals in a short span. P.Chidambaram has always been closely associated with Vasan Eye Care.   It was Chidambaram who inaugurated Vasan Eye Care’s 25^th Hospital and 100^th Hospital, which happens to be at Chiddu’s home town – Karaikudi.   The Vasan group of hospital, which entered into  Chennai in 2008, now has 15 branches in Chennai alone. 

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who has an old score to settle with Chiddu for bugging his office has gathered enough dirt on Chiddu, say sources.

As of now, the breather given by Special Judge O.P.Saini, appear to be temporary. 

DMK: Battle of the bloods !!!

The DMK which has weathered many storms in the past is battling the worst cyclone ever.    “A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair” said Machiavelli.   The desperation of Karunanidhi’s siblings appears to be the eye of the storm.  Karunanidhi looks like a cornered cat...  A man without options....  And an old man in despair ....   Karuna’s extreme anxiety and frustration echoed in his speech. "There is no need for me to beg for votes to remain the party president. We will conduct an election for the post at the next general council meeting. Let the outcome decide who will lead the party" spoke Karunanidhi  in the DMK’s general council meeting. 

The serious infighting within the family was out in the open and reached a crescendo, even before the much hyped DMK high level committee meeting followed by General Council. While M.K.Stalin was determined to end his long wait for ascendancy  MK Azhagiri, threw his hat in the ring and threatened to boycott the general council if there was change in leadership.  For her part,  Kanimozhi's mother Raasathi Ammal pressurized Karunanidhi to elevate her - A proposal that was opposed by all the stakeholders - Stalin, Azhagiri, Karunanidhi's daughter Selvi and the Marans.

Till Kanimozhi was in prison, Karunanidhi entire focus was getting her daughter out of prison.    To save his daughter he went to the extent of shifting the entire blame on A.Raja, his erstwhile blue-eyed boy.   While Karuna was glued to Delhi, the DMK’s much hyped strongman MK.Alagiri was running for cover from the onslaught of Amma and her police. Alagiri was seen shunting between Delhi and Madurai with his family and had even packed off his son Durai Dayanidhi abroad.    Stalin utilized this opportunity to strengthen his ground.    Stalin who has become a crafty politician had slowly and carefully started building his armory for a final onslaught. As a first measure, Stalin ensured that Kalaignar TV comes under his control completely which was reported to be Kanimozhi’s dream project.   Stalin made his confidant P.V.Kalyanasundaram as its Director, even without informing major stakeholders Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar.   

After taking over Kalignar TV indirectly, M K Stalin's focus was to capture the party and the best way is to bring about some organizational changes and place his loyalists at all levels, which is seen as a plot against Karunanidhi.

The chanakya of Tamil Nadu seems to have sensed M K Stalin's ulterior motives and DMK insiders say that Karunanidhi decided to throw spokes in Stalin’s roller coaster ride.    Sources say it was Karunanidhi who instigated DMK strongman Veerapandi Arumugam to speak against Stalin’s elevation.

While addressing the meeting, Mr Arumugam,  said it would not augur well for the party if one section in the South was led by one son and another section in the North by another son.  Immediately after hearing this, Stalin’s supporters who were in large numbers were up on their feet and started shouting slogans against Arumugam, which forced him to cut short his speech.

Karunanidhi who is used to browbeat any opposition found it surprising that such slogan shouting and throwing of chairs happened in front of him.   Karuna referred to the violent incidents in his speech and said that  some goondas had entered the meeting in the guise of supporting Mr Stalin and had tried to drive a wedge in the party though Mr Arumugam had not said anything objectionable.   Karuna also made it categorical that the decision of leadership would be taken after a year.The fact that he had to wait for one more year to don the mantle drove Stalin wild. He was furious and left Anna Ariyaliyam in a huff. Sources close to M K Stalin say that he so dejected by the way Karunanidhi candidly opposed his plans and is being a hurdle. A furious Stalin almost decided to put in his papers is the whispers doing rounds in DMK circles.

Immediately after the General Council meeting the entire top brass of the DMK went into a huddle, Karunanidhi held another rounds of serious talks with the party seniors, then a team of top level leaders of the DMK TR Baalu, Dayanidhi Maran and others including Selvi landed at M K Stalin's cenatoph road residence to pacify him.

But Stalin is on a war mode say sources.  He understands that it is now or never.   Stalin who used to be a docile person now wants to ascertain himself due to the new player in the fray – Kanimozhi.   It remains to be seen, who emerges as the winner in the Battle of Bloods - the father or the Son.

WITN IMPACT : Velumani OUT, Krishnamurthys DUMPED & Ramadoss IN

PMK Founder Ramadoss IN

We said it first.  In our articles Dr. Ramadoss to be arrested in a murder case & Doctor’s Kolaveri... Whispers in Tamil Nadu had reported  in detail on how luck is running out for Doctor Ramadoss, founder and Chief of Pattali Makkal Katchi, and how the premier investigative agency CBI is decoding Doctor's Kolaveri plan. On Wednesday the CBI sleuths arrested Ramadoss’s brother Seeni Gounder @ Srinivasan, who is now an active Congress member and former PMK Headquarters Secretary N.M.Karunanidhi.

Doctor who is always kept at an arm’s length by both the Dravidian parties is now pushed to a corner and waiting for the cops to show up his doorsteps anytime.  While the 2009 Parliamentary elections saw the PMK’s vote bank tumbling, the 2011 assembly elections broke the myth that PMK is inevitable in Tamil Nadu politics.  Without any bargaining power and strong voter base the balloon is now punctured for Dr. Ramadoss, and now they are considered to be a political orphan in Tamil Nadu's political landscape.  But Dr. Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss is still hoping for a miracle and desperate attempts are still underway to wriggle out of the Murder case by hook or crook.

As had been reported by us earlier, the CBI has gathered clinching evidence of the involvement of Doctor Ayya and his family members in the murder of Muruganandam and an attempt to murder C.Ve.Shanmugam during the election campaign of 2006. So far loads of documents relating to this case were lying at the Tindivanam sessions court - what Dr.Ayya considered as a cold storage. But just hours before the arrest of Srinivasan and Karunanidhi these documents which were kept in 3 iron trunks were shifted to Chengelpet sessions court amid tight security. As soon as this information reached Dr. Ayya he developed cold feet and was visibly tense. Perhaps this was a clear indication for the PMK camp that things were moving to its next stage. After, hours of interrogation both Srinivasan and Karunanidhi were arrested and remanded. Very soon, the CBI would call doctor Ayya for interrogation and is likely to take him into custody...and Dr Ramadoss is all set land behind bars. 

After the cat is out of the bag, it will be very unfair on the part of CBI, if they do not probe the sabotage angle...as tampering with evidence is also another charge that should be slapped against Dr. Ramadoss and his group of contract killers.

Whispers doing rounds in IPS circles is that the CBI is also probing how the murder case probe was systematically sabotaged by the PMK founder with the help of senior cops in Tamil Nadu police.  S.R.Jangid, who was Inspector General of Police North Zone and Sanjay Arora, who was the then DIG, Villupuram are likely to be interrogated by CBI as to why the names of Dr. Ramadoss, Anbumani Ramadoss, Parasuram, doctor’s son-in-law were removed in the first Case Diary within a week of registration of the FIR.  The first case diary is the crucial document which records the initial progress made in the investigation. 

And guess what, if the CBI needs any help in getting crucial documents...there is one man who is more than willing to help. Its none other than the present DIG of Villipuram district - Pon. Manickvel. The entire Khakhi department is aware of the ongoing rivalry between S R Jangid and Pon.Manickvel. Meanwhile, the state intelligence is also closely monitoring all the developments regarding the case and it is almost certain that Dr. Ramadoss is in neck deep trouble.

On one hand Doctor’s hectic parleys with the DMK chief to come out in support of him has proved to be futile. Despite several attempts by PMK to garner support, the grand old man is tight lipped, as the DMK is afraid that if anything is said against the CBI, then it will indirectly reflect in the 2G case and the CBI has become albatross around Kanimozhi's neck. To add insult to doctor's injury, the state government is also gearing up to arrest Ramadoss. Maya krishnan, a resident of Olliyampalayam village who works in the college of Vanniyar Trust has filed a complaint, that on the instigation of Doctor Ramadoss he was attacked by the Vanniyar  Trust’s Director Hari Narayanan.  

PMK leader G.K.Mani and advocate K.Balu, met the DGP on Thursday evening and gave a complaint that the case registered against Dr. Ramadoss is a politically motivated one. Whispers doing rounds in PMK circles is that both Ramadoss and Anbumani Ramadoss are keen on addressing public meetings so that they can whip up emotions among the Vanniyar community. Ramadoss hopes that it will help him in putting up a stiff fight against the CBI during his arrest. Will Ramadoss be able to cock and snook at the CBI ? Remains to be seen.     

Velu 'Money' OUT

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha on Thursday dropped S.P. Velumani from the cabinet.  Whispers in Tamil Nadu had earlier reported about the nefarious activities of S.P.Velumani in the article Minister Velu 'Money's' golden touch which gave you the inside information about his newly owned jewellery shop AVR Swarna Mahal.  Velumani, who was shifted from the Industries portfolio and accommodated in the cabinet with Revenue portfolio only last week...was happy and thought that he was the cat's whiskers. But he was unaware of the fact that his sins were probed by the state intelligence which has already submitted a detailed report to the Chief Minister. And as he was all set for yet another 'Revenue' ride, his calculations went miserably wrong as he was shown the door. 

Krishnamurthy - I 'DUMPED'

Whispers in Tamil Nadu was the first one to report on the collection spree by Commercial Taxes Minister Agri SS Krishnamoorthy as early as 15 October 2011 in the article Is Amma aware of the Collection Spree ?

This was published even before the MM cartel were expelled by Jayalalitha. We had reported that this collection spree was underway upon the orders of the Queen of deceit Sasikala. Sasikala was quite powerful at that time and both her loyalists S.P.Velumani and Agri SS Krishnamoorthy were spared the axe.  In the cabinet rejig last week, Commercial Taxes portfolio was withdrawn from Krishnamoorthy and he was given School Education portfolio. Now, Jayalalitha has dropped Agri SS.Krishnamoorthy from the cabinet and his portfolio of School Education is given to N.R.Sivapathy. Whispers doing rounds in the corridors of Fort St George is that Agri Krishnamurthy was living high off the hog and now his fortunes could crumble as his art of collecting 'commercial tax' is all set to land him in deep trouble.

Krishnamurthy - II 'DUMPED'

After one Krishnamurthy, it was time for the other Krishnamurthy, who is fondly called as Horticulture Krishnamurthy. He was booted out of the AIADMK along with Sundaravadanam, Santhanalakshmi, and Natarajan's sister Vaijayanthi MLA.

In fact, it was Whispers in Tamil Nadu  that was first one to expose the murky land deal that took place upon Sasikala's orders Horticulture Krishnamurthy in the article The Agri (ugly) war.

DMK moles in the dock

Whispers in Tamil Nadu exposed  about the intelligence network built by the DMK in the AIADMK regime and named their spies in the article DMK’s moles in the Government.  

This article seems to have rattled the various power centers at Fort St George, as crucial information about the day-to-day functioning of the government is reaching its arch rival. Following Whispers in Tamil Nadu expose, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister  Jayalalitha, had given curt instruction that all the 27 drivers and PAs who were appointed by the three Under Secretaries in Public Department – Vasanthy, Periyanayaki and Ambalavanan should be shunted out immediately. Also Whispers doing rounds in Fort St George circles is that the trio is also likely to face probe by intelligence officials in the coming days.

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DMK’s moles in the Government !

Ever since the AIADMK came to power, the DMK has been pushed to a corner...without any information on the inner happenings in the corridors of power – Fort St. George. But the DMK being a party in power for quite a long time, knows the importance of inside information.  Now whispers doing rounds in the corridors of Fort St George is that the DMK have planted its moles in key places of the administration which ensures steady flow of crucial information relating to the day-to-day affairs of the Government. 

The PAs and drivers are a perennial source of information in any government. Sources say DMK has planted their men in key positions who appoint PAs and drivers. Whispers doing rounds is 3 under secretaries namely Vasanthy, Periyanayagi and Ambalavanan in Tamil Nadu government's public department are suspected to have helped the Opposition DMK to spy on the activities of the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK government.  The treacherous trio appear to be the deciding authorities on the appointment of all of personal assistants and drivers to ministers.  The Public Department in Secretariat looks after the appointments of PAs and Drivers to Ministers.  

The trio who hold key positions in the Public Department have chosen personal assistants and drivers who are loyal to them so that they can extract government information instantly and pass it on to their political masters. The three officials have reportedly helped Anna Arivalyam, the DMK headquarters to get crucial information on the AIADMK regime's moves, much before it reached either the state intelligence network or the media. 

The latest buzz is that Vasanthy has recommended Surulivelrajan who was personal assistant to former DMK minister Ubaiyadullah and now efforts are on to tag him along with Agri S.S. Krishnamurthy, Commercial Taxes minister.   The Public Department official Vasanthy has close ties with DMK’s women’s wing.  Secretariat employees are quite surprised about the continuance of these spies working right under the nose of Jayalalitha.

Minister Velu 'Money's' golden touch

S.P.Velumani, is the Minister for Industries in the AIADMK government. It is a well known fact that Velumani is one of the nominees of the MM cartel in Amma's cabinet.  Velumani who hails from the Kongu belt was given the key portfolio of Industries, which is considered as gold mine in administrative circles. Indeed S.P.Velumani appears to have hit a pot of gold in this portfolio.

Whispers doing rounds is that Velumani’s @ Velu ‘money’ is on a collection spree right from the word ‘go’.   Many of the granite quarry owners were threatened to cough up sizeable sums of money under the guise of payment to MM cartel. The buzz in entire Fort St George is that by now Velumani must have amassed a sum of Rs.400 crores, for himself.   

Whispers doing rounds in IAS circles is that the 400 crore rupees has been collected  mainly from the granite lobby and iron scrap lobby, most of whom owe their allegiance to the DMK.  Particularly, the biggest iron scrap business is run by Anand, who is reported to be the benami of M.K.Tamilarasu, son of DMK chief M.Karunanidhi.  Since money doesn’t have colour or party affiliation, sources say Velumani had collected a sizeable amount from Anand. 

Velumani had found gold as the right investment for his 'earnings' and is reported to have started a jewellery with three branches in Coimbatore, Salem and Tiruppur in the name and style of “AVR Swarna Mahal”.  The jewellery which was started six months back – after Velumani became Industries Minister is on an advertisement spree and is giving a tough fight to traditional jewel traders.  The jewellery is reported to be started by Velumani and his benamis. But what does AVR stands for...here is the answer - A for Anbu, V for Velumani and R for Radhakrishnan.

During the impending cabinet re-shuffle, Velumani is certain to face the axe, say poes garden insiders.   But, whether amma would be satisfied with sacking him or will the DVAC go behind Velumani remains to be seen.

M K Stalin dumps Jinnah

Hasan Mohammed Ali Jinnah was M K Stalin's close confidant, some call him as a shadow of M K Stalin. In fact M K Stalin who was fearing a close contest in his Thousand Lights constituency replaced Jinnah as his nominee to contest from Thousand lights. But now Jinnah's long honeymoon has almost come to an end.

With M K Stalin calling the shots in the DMK youth wing by fixing age limit for party posts, Jinnah fears that very soon his he will be stripped of from his post of deputy secretary. By the way a point to be noted is that M K Stalin who is 59 years old is still the Secretary of the DMK youth wing, from the eighties and he still continues to be youth icon for the DMK.

But what is the reason for their split..? A question doing rounds in DMK circles...some say Jinnah being an advocate, and a former additional public prosecutor mishandled his cases...but whispers doing rounds in top DMK leadership is that Jinnah, did not help M K Stalin in his coup attempt to take control of Kalaignar TV. M K Stalin wanted one of his trusted lieutenant to be inducted into the Kalaignar TV board of directors before Kanimozhi is out on bail, so his first choice was Jinnah. But sensing trouble and danger Jinnah gave a slip and that seems to have angered M K Stalin and as a result Jinnah is completely sidelined.

Sad Sangamam

Its that time of the year when all bandits come together to organize Chennai Sangaman. A show that was carefully crafted to boost Kanimozhi's popularity, but all hell broke loose due to the 2G scam...and from then onwards it was Tihar sangaman and now it has become Sad sangamam. Recently, the organizers and some folk artists met Kanimozhi to greet her on the occasion of Pongal which turned out to be an emotional reunion.

A helpless Kanimozhi was at loss for words, but she made some alternative arrangements this time and it was DK leader Veeramani who came in for Kani's rescue. Veeramani promised that his partymen will hire local folk artists for their Pongal celebrations. At last in some way Veeramani has helped is the joke doing rounds in M K Stalin's circles.

Karuna's snub to Nakkeeran

When bi-weekly Nakkeeran came under attack from the AIADMK party workers for its controversial 'beef eating' article on TN Chief Minister, its editor Nakkeeran Gopal and Associate editor Kamaraj were constantly on phone asking for help..several senior journalists received calls asking to issue an statement saying its an attack on freedom of press.

But Nakkeeran insiders say Nakkeeran Gopal and Kamaraj were also engaged in convincing DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi who was unhappy with the news.   Gopal and Kamaraj had contacted Karunanidhi and pleaded that our office is under attack and no official is picking up their call. To their surprise Karunanidhi too had asked the same question, which rest of the world asked them..why did you publish such a provocative article...? Sources in Gopalapuram say Karunanidhi scolded both the veteran journalists (!!!!) as he was afraid that his name would be dragged into the entire controversy. Also Karunanidhi refused to issue a statement but as Gopal and Kamaraj were pleading he had no other choice but to release a short statement. Gopalapuram sources say while speaking to Karunanidhi both Nakkeeran Gopal and Kamaraj admitted that their motive was to publish this news and provoke Jaya so that they can boosts their circulation...but since it was an unprecedented reaction Gopal admitted that it was a wrong decision.