Maran to keep away from active politics, cites health grounds

By M. R. Venkatesh

CHENNAI, APRIL 14. Barely a few hours before the DMK was to release its list of candidates for the Assembly election, senior DMK leader and Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr. Murasoli Maran, today stunned the party leadership by announcing his intention to ``keep away from active politics on health grounds.''

Mr. Maran made known his decision through a one-line oral statement over the phone to the two national news agencies. But, he was not available for any elaboration on this.

Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Dayalu Ammal, wife of the Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, accompanied by Union Cabinet Minister, Mr. T.R. Balu, called on Mr. Maran at his residence.

After the meeting, Mr. Balu told reporters: ``He is not keeping well. That is all.''

Later in the day, senior DMK Minister, Mr. Arcot Veerasamy, called on Mr. Maran, but told reporters that he had only enquired after the health of the latter. Asked if Mr. Maran's decision would affect the election prospects of the DMK, he replied: ``I am more worried about his health.''

After a second meeting, Mr. Balu said Mr. Maran would not be able to undertake ``hectic campaigning'' due to health reasons. In reply to a question, he said Mr. Maran would continue to be in the Union Cabinet.

Mr. Maran, who had a miraculous recovery from a heart ailment in November last, is understood to have been ``unhappy'' with the manner in which the DMK handled some of the issues related to seat sharing with its allies.

During the month-long exercise of alliance formation, seat- sharing and candidate selection, the party functionaries who were actively involved in the process had kept a prudent distance from Mr. Maran as they did not wish to ``strain him'' on these issues due to his health condition. Further, it is learnt that Mr. Maran had conveyed to a senior party colleague his dissatisfaction over some of the second line leaders playing a key role in the alliance talks. He was also ``unhappy'' over the DMK giving away some of its holding seats to the allies.

Significantly, this morning, Mr. Maran had a 45-minute talk with Mr. Karunanidhi at the latter's residence when he came to exchange Tamil New Year greetings. A few hours later, he announced his decision to quit active politics apparently to give vent to his ``disappointment.''

Mr. Maran's announcement prompted many senior party leaders to call on him apparently to assuage his ruffled feelings. Of late, Mr. Maran had been taking efforts to patch up the MDMK's rift with the DMK, though the DMK leadership had already ruled out any scope for rapprochement.

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