Wedding fervour eases southern discomfort | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Wedding fervour eases southern discomfort

Hindustan Times | By, Madurai
Nov 19, 2010 01:17 AM IST

The Congress on Thursday used the occasion of DMK chief and Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi’s grandson’s wedding to mend the troubled relationship with its southern partner, promising to take the alliance forward through the rest of the UPA term.

The Congress on Thursday used the occasion of DMK chief and Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi’s grandson’s wedding to mend the troubled relationship with its southern partner, promising to take the alliance forward through the rest of the UPA term.

HT Image
HT Image

Ties between the two parties have been strained after Karunanidhi’s protégé former telecom minister A Raja was ousted from the Manmohan Singh cabinet for his role in the spectrum scandal.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was not present to bless the marriage of chemicals and fertilisers minister MK Alagiri’s son Durai Dayanidhi and Anusha, daughter of Chennai lawyer PS Seetharaman. But the Congress president’s troubleshooter, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, cherished old the ties with the DMK and renewed the alliance commitment.

“This combination fostered in 2004 was steadily contributing to the progress of the economy and socio-economic transformation. We will continue to do so for the next three-and-a-half years,” Mukherjee said. Though Karunanidhi sat stern faced on the dais, flanked by leaders from the Centre and the state, family and film stars, he expressed support for the political alliance.

The glitzy wedding dais at Tamukkam grounds had a picture of Dravidian icon CN Annadurai in the background. Raja sat in the third row in the audience. Seated in the front row were Karunanidhi’s daughter Kanimozhi and actress Khushboo, now a DMK leader.

The DMK patriarch had enough reasons to smile — his sons, deputy chief minister MK Stalin and Alagiri, kept aside their differences while participating in the ceremonies. Karunanidhi said the two brothers should move in tandem for the sake of the party. He mixed caution and affection when he praised Alagiri.

The crowd seemed to enjoy most when actor Rajinikanth made his entry.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Ramesh Babu is HT’s bureau chief in Kerala, with about three decades of experience in journalism.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On