The induction of a political novice like Maran as minister for Communications and IT in the Union Cabinet had caused ripples in political circles. It was pointed out that his appointment would amount to a conflict of interest. It was then that Sumangali Cable Vision, a powerful multi-system operator with virtual control of the cable network in Tamil Nadu, had challenged TRAI’s order withdrawing CAS in the Madras High Court.

With the Communications Ministry coming under Maran and TRAI’s operations being a part of it, it did look like a serious conflict of interest. The AIADMK chief had time and again demanded that Maran be divested of the portfolio, but coalition politics has saved the young DMK minister.

Another allegation that dominated the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly election was that Dayanidhi Maran had arm-twisted Tata chairman Ratan Tata into selling shares of his DTH unit to the Sun TV group. Maran not only dismissed the charge as ‘‘a lie inspired by personal vendetta and jealousy,’’ considering his ‘‘increasing popularity as a dynamic political figure’’, but he also made up for his image loss by having Tata meet him, making it appear that great cordiality existed between the two.

IF the ministers from Tamil Nadu are giving the UPA Government a tough time, then Karunanidhi himself is seen as showing the way. The NLC drama is the second instance of muscle flexing by the veteran politician. In July 2004, soon after the Congress-led coalition came to power, Karunanidhi threatened to keep out of the government, accusing the Congress leadership of failing to keep to its commitment of surrendering some hefty portfolios to the DMK.

... contd.