By IANS,
Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu) : The DMK’s two-day women’s meet got underway at this sea-side town of Tamil Nadu Saturday with the usual pomp, show and grandeur associated with the party’s events.
Cuddalore town, 400 km from state capital Chennai, was awash with red and black, the party colours of the ruling DMK. The whole town was decorated with high arches and with large cutouts of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
The event kicked off with the party flag being unfurled by senior party leader Vasanthy Ganesan in the presence of Karunanidhi and the women of his family.
The marquee was a replica of a palace, occupying 300,000 square feet with a 70-foot dais. The event was graced by DMK ministers from the state and also from the central government like A. Raja and Radhika Selvi.
The chief minister was accompanied by his wives Dayaluammal and Rajathiammal, daughter Kanimozhi and grand-daughter Kayalvizhi.
A rally that began Saturday afternoon, four km away, wound its way to the conference venue as the sun set, amidst beating of drums and march pasts by women cadre dressed in the red and black colours of the DMK, wearing turbans and sashes with a touch of gold.
“The DMK has done more to uplift women than any other party and this conference is another step in the same direction,” Kanimozhi told reporters.
“It is only Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) who can ensure a good life for women,” said Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan, a senior DMK leader.
The meet, according to the party, has drawn 200,000 DMK women supporters, including large contingents from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala.
It is being seen as a move to create a pre-election political platform for Kanimozhi and and Karunanidhi’s grand-daughter Kayalvizhi, daughter of M.K. Azhagiri.