2G scam: Dayanidhi Maran meets Karunanidhi

A day after stepping down as Union minister over the 2G scam issue, Dayanidhi Maran today called on DMK chief M Karunanidhi here and briefed about him about the developments surrounding his exit.

Maran straight away drove to Karunanidhi's residence after his arrival from Delhi and was closeted with the DMK patriarch for over an hour.

After the meeting, attended also by senior DMK leaders and two Union ministers of state -- SS Palanimanickam and S Jagatratchagan -- Maran left through the back door, avoiding the waiting media persons.

"Generally we discussed the political situation in Delhi and Chennai," DMK leader TR Baalu, who accompanied Maran from Delhi, told reporters. Asked about replacement for Maran, he said, "We have not yet decided anything."

He said Union finance minister and senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee has sought an appointment for a meeting with Karunanidhi tomorrow.

Mukherjee is expected to discuss the situation arising out of Maran's resignation and possible replacement for him and A Raja who had quit earlier over the 2G issue.

Maran's exit comes at a time when the ties between Congress and DMK are under strain following the arrest of Raja and Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi, both of whom are in jail.

Maran quit the cabinet a day after CBI told the Supreme Court that he had "forced" telecom promoter C Sivasankaran to sell his company Aircel to a Malaysian firm when he was the Telecom minister in 2006.

Karunanidhi had yesterday came out in defence of Maran and accused the media of defaming the minister.

The resignation of Maran has come ahead of the much talked about Union Cabinet reshuffle but DMK, a key UPA partner, appears not keen to suggest any replacements for the time being.

DMK sources said there was a feeling in the party that it should not be seen to be in a hurry to send replacements into the cabinet.