Kanimozhi may be top choice to replace Subbulakshmi

CHENNAI: The exit of DMK deputy general secretary Subbulakshmi Jagadeeshan has cleared the way for the emergence of a female face of the ruling party. Unlike Subbulakshmi who was content with remaining in the shadows of her male counterparts and bosses in the party for the last decade, the opening could be a windfall for the new deputy general secretary representing womenfolk in the party.

At least a few names are doing the rounds for the coveted position, occupier of which would be rubbing shoulders with the high and mighty of the DMK on the dais at every major party event. DMK women’s wing secretary-cum Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, state social welfare minister P Geetha Jeevan and former state Adi Dravidar welfare minister Tamizharasi are among the names being speculated upon.

Of the three, Kanimozhi is believed to be the hot favourite given her prominence and stature.

DMK sources told DT Next that party president M K Stalin was favourably disposed to elevating his step sister so far. An initially reluctant Kanimozhi is now understood to be ready to accept the post if the word comes from the Stalin. “The elevation has been doing rounds since the final few years of Kalaignar even. It is widely discussed now that Kanimozhi is the frontrunner for the post. Elevating a prominent leader like her from the Nadar community, which is currently under-represented in the upper tier of the DMK hierarchy, will lend a political advantage to the party in the south, ” said a party senior on condition of anonymity.

“Geetha Jeevan, representing the same Nadar community, is also a strong candidate. She is already a minister. So, overlooking her for the post would not be a difficult decision for the high command. She will not mind opting out should Kanimozhi bid for the lone deputy general secretary post ‘reserved’ for women, ” said a state party functionary.

Tamizharasi is another choice, but she is a relative junior like state Adi Dravidar minister Kayalvizhi Selvaraj, both of whom hail from the Scheduled Caste community. The party already has a Dalit represented in the upper echelons through Anthiyur Selvaraj, one of the incumbent deputy general secretaries of the party. So, the Dalit card would not work in their favour. The post necessitates seniority as well as prominence. Hence, airlifting a nondescript woman candidate for the sake of filling the post would turn out to be a political googly. So, Kanimozhi or one of the other two would make political sense, the party senior reasoned. Stalin’s choice of candidate will be known when the general council meets later next month to validate all elections and appointments.↔ More on P5