New Delhi:
When Kanimozhi arrived at her home from Tihar Jail, she was greeted by fireworks and
rangoli or "kolam" that spelled out "welcome." (
Read: Who is Kanimozhi?)
There were certainly enough people on hand to escort her to her flat on the sixth floor. So many in fact stepped into the elevator with her that it wouldn't budge. After waiting for a few minutes, some MPs from her party stepped out of the lift.
Dressed in a pink salwaar-kameez and clutching onto a bouquet of flowers, Kanimozhi then began her first night at home after days in jail. She was arrested on May 20 for her alleged role in the telecom scam. After four earlier unsuccessful attempts, she was granted bail on Monday.
Senior party leaders like TR Baalu were there to help her settle in. But her real home-coming will be hosted in Chennai where M Karunanidhi is waiting for his daughter's return. She is scheduled to fly there on Saturday.
The party is already suggesting that she be conferred with some sort of martyr status.
"She has shown great willpower....she deserves an important post in the party", said DMK MP Vasanthi Stanley, who was at Kanimozhi's residence.
Kanimozhi is accused of allowing a TV channel co-owned by her to serve as the landing place for a 214-crore kickback that was paid to her partyman, A Raja, when he was Telecom Minister. 14 people including Kainmozhi are on trial for the telecom scam. 11 have so far been released on bail.