No sooner did word of Kanimozhi's bail spread on Monday, than the number of mediapersons camping outside DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi's house swelled. But the man who stepped out of the Gopalapuram residence in Chennai to meet them was not the thalaivar (great leader) but Kanimozhi's 87-year-old father.
DMK MP Kanimozhi, 43, and four others were granted bail on Monday by the Delhi High Court, in the 2G spectrum scam case. They would, however, have to spend one more night behind bars as release warrants could not be issued due to procedural delay.
An elated Karunanidhi, skipped his customary afternoon nap to track the developments in Delhi, and didn't stop to "dress up" for the television cameras when the verdict was out. In a dhoti and vest, minus his trademark dark glasses, he told the media, "She spoke to me soon after the court gave her bail."
While one parent shared Kanimozhi's happiness from a distance, the other parent, Rajathi Ammal, who had flown down to Delhi for the hearing, missed the moment she was waiting for, for the last six months.
When the Delhi high court finally granted bail to the daughter, the mother was on board a flight to Chennai as she thought it wouldn't happen so soon. Ammal was a regular fixture in the trial court the past few months.
{{/usCountry}}When the Delhi high court finally granted bail to the daughter, the mother was on board a flight to Chennai as she thought it wouldn't happen so soon. Ammal was a regular fixture in the trial court the past few months.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, the news of Kanimozhi's bail sparked off speculations about an imminent role for her in the DMK. However, when asked, Karunanidhi said, "I am not an autocrat. Party will decide..."
As per the conditions imposed by the court, Kanimozhi has to attend court daily and can go to Chennai only when the court is off on Sundays.