As DMK cadres cheered, the two Union ministers of Tamil Nadu’s first family, Mr M.K. Alagiri and Mr Dayanidhi Maran, exhibited their bonhomie at the inauguration of the `100-crore integrated textiles park at Thathampatti, in Madurai, Mr Alagiri’s constituency, on Saturday.
Putting behind the bitter past of misunderstanding, nephew Maran sprang a surprise by touching uncle Alagiri’s feet on stage, seeking his blessings, and declared that with “our anja nenjan (the brave-hearted)” around, the DMK would ever remain strong in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu.
He lavished praise on Mr Alagiri and said, “The people of the southern districts are fortunate and privileged to have Alagiri as a minister. In Delhi, he always makes his case strong for bringing projects to Madurai. More than shawls, people who lined up on the way presented petitions to him because they believe that only he can address their needs immediately, such is their confidence in him.”
Recalling the conversation they had while driving together to the venue, Mr Maran said he had made available to the Madurai public free modernised toilets similar to those in Delhi.
Mr Alagiri reciprocated the gesture by thanking his nephew for establishing the park in his constituency and demanded one more.