Kanimozhi returns to a rousing welcome

DMK MP Kanimozhi arrives at Chennai airport on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

DMK MP Kanimozhi returned to Chennai to a rousing welcome by the party workers.

After spending 193 days in Delhi's Tihar Jail following her arrest in the 2G case, DMK MP Kanimozhi returned to Chennai on Saturday to a rousing reception by the party cadres.

Kanimozhi, accompanied by husband Aravindan and son Aditya, was received at the Chennai airport by her father and DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

DMK chief M. Karunanidhi welcomes Kanimozhi at the airport with his son and heir apparent M.K. Stalin on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

In the DMK, the mood was jubilant and it used the occasion to showcase unity in its ranks.

Leading the party to receive the 2G scam "martyr", octogenarian patriarch M. Karunanidhi was at the airport with his son and heir apparent M. K. Stalin, as well as other prominent members of the clan.

It was an emotional reunion, which helped camouflage the deep cleavages within the clan.

There is already talk of Kanimozhi, who is seen as a "wounded tiger" waiting to strike back at the opportune time, being elevated in the party hierarchy in recognition of her sacrifice for the DMK's sake.

"I am confident. This is the first step. I have to prove my innocence and face the case legally and get out of it," was the first thing Kanimozhi said to the media on landing in Chennai on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

Kanimozhi's mother Rajathi Ammal, Karunanidhi's wife and Director of Kalaingar TV Dayalu Ammal, her daughter Selvi also welcomed her at the airport.

Hundreds of party cadres broke into celebrations beating drums and dancing as the DMK MP stepped out of the airport to join the family members after more than six months of incarceration.

They also carried placards hailing Kanimozhi as "Chennai Sangamame varuga varuga (welcome)", in a reference to the annual cultural show organised by her during Pongal festivities.

DMK party flags and banners with pictures of Kanimozhi and Karunanidhi were lined up along the road leading to the airport.

The 43-year-old MP was arrested on May 20 by the CBI in connection with alleged payment of Rs.200 crores by the DB Group to DMK-run Kalaignar TV in which she is one of the Directors.

After denial of bail by the trial court, high court and the Supreme court on earlier occasions, Kanimozhi was finally granted the relief by the High Court on November 28.

Since she had to attend the court proceedings in the next few days, Kanimozhi chose to stay back in Delhi and arrived in Chennai on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

Besides Kanimozhi, others granted bail by the high court are Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar, Bollywood filmmaker Karim Morani and Kusegaon Fruits and vegetables Pvt Ltd directors Rajiv Aggarwal and Asif Balwa.

Party workers rejoice at DMK MP Kanimozhi's release on bail after six months on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

DMK party flags and banners with pictures of Kanimozhi and Karunanidhi were lined up along the road leading to the Chennai airport.