Why did Modi visit Karunanidhi?

A most unexpected visit of the Prime Minister to a long-ailing Opposition leader in a Southern state happened yesterday: Why? Was it only a courtesy call or a result of the changed equations to come in the forthcoming elections?

Mr. Modi who was in Chennai to attend the Platinum jubilee celebrations of the Tamil daily”Dina Thanthi” broke his schedule to visit the Opposition DMK which has traditionally been highly critical of the ruling BJP and close to the Congress party. The PM was welcomed by Mr. Karunanidhi’s son and leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin, and daughter Kanimozhi.

The timing of the visit is suspect

Tomorrow, a special court in Delhi will fix a date for verdict in the 2G spectrum scam case – expected to be some time this month – and has asked all accused to be present. Among them are the DMK’s A Raja and Ms Kanimozhi. If the DMK leaders are acquitted in the case, the BJP could see the party as a more sound prospective ally ahead in Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2019 general elections than the ruling AIADMK, which is crumbling after the demise of Jayalalithaa.

The most experienced of all the Opposition leaders ,Mr Karunanidhi, 93, is recovering from a long illness. He has always been a game changer and thorn to the prospects of BJP in Tamil Nadu. With film actors, Kamalahaasan and Rajnikanth also set to join the political arena of this volatile state, this visit attains greater importance.

-UDAAN