Enforcement directorate ordered attachment of the properties of former telecom minister Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanithi Maran and wife Kaveri Kalanithi valued at Rs 724 crore on Wednesday.

The ED is conducting an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, based on Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) findings that the former telecom minister had allegedly received illegal gratification from Maxis.

Chennai-based political observers say, the development is going to further spoil DMK’s chances in the state assembly elections in 2016 Marans are close relatives of DMK chief M Karnunanidhi.

Gnani Sankaran, a city-based political analyst says, “There is a disproportionate assets case against former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa but the DMK cannot capitalise this opportunity because of 2G scam and then Aircel-Maxis deal case against Maran brothers.

So it has certainly weakened the DMK.” He adds, “If MK Stalin, the party treasurer and younger son of M Karunanidhi, takes a stand and decides to suspend tainted people in his party like Maran, Raja and Kanimozhi, it could come as a damage control measure. Stalin himself is not tainted so that is an advantage for the party.” 

Sources close to DMK say, there were times when Karunanidhi was unhappy with the Marans as they were using party’s goodwill to get plum business deals without making the party richer. The Maran family, used the political clout to build a profitable business empire that ranged from television stations to airlines. However, the airlines, Spicejet, of Kalanidhi Maran, had to be put on sale to save it from crashing out of business.

Moreover, DMK also does not like him because he is far removed from the cadre and they see him as someone who has amassed wealth only for himself. There were also whispers that during Lok Sabha elections Dayanidhi had not contributed enough to the party for the polls.