Maran brothers face gravest threat to their empire, can they stay afloat?
Maran brothers face gravest threat to their empire, can they stay afloat?
If the Centre refuses renewal of licences to Sun TV channels, the empire might collapse. Because it is their main business and a big money spinner.

Chennai: The once most powerful Maran brothers are facing the worst ever crisis of their life. Marans who ruled Tamil Nadu and other neighbouring states’ entertainment and TV industry are staring at a bleak future. The criminal cases against them are piling up. While younger Dayanidhi Maran is facing a possibility of arrest, elder brother and Sun group chairman Kalanidhi Maran is battling several cases related to his business. The Union Home Affairs Ministry is also opposing renewal of their broadcasting and telecasting licenses. Their flagship Sun TV shares are trading at Rs 333 on Tuesday. Not long ago, it was considered the most sought after media share and the Sun group had also reached dizzying heights. Such a huge empire is now shaking. Literally!

The Marans are not new to controversies. They have always faced challenges and charges. But, every time they managed to emerge victorious. The situation looks quite different this time. Their empire may not collapse, but it is now looking very shaky. Their fortunes are certainly declining - both politically and financially. They even had to sell off their acquisition Spicejet in January 2014.

Well educated and suave Kalanidhi and Dayanidhi are the children of veteran DMK leader the late Murasoli Maran. Murasoli Maran was the nephew of the DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi. He was also his most trusted point person in New Delhi. After the death of father, Dayanidhi Maran joined politics and became Cabinet minister of Telecom in the UPA-1 overnight. In the UPA-2, he was Textiles minister. On both occasions, he had to quit mid-way.

In 2007, the Marans owned newspapers Dinakaran carried a controversial survey on the popularity of Karunanidhi’s sons MK Stalin and MK Azhagiri. Angry over the survey, Azhagiri supporters went on a rampage in Madhurai. It led to the collapse of their family relationship and the Marans were out of favour overnight. Dayanidhi was forced to quit as Telecom minister and the DMK government in Tamil Nadu withdrew all the favours to Maran empire. Most people thought that it was the end of Marans. But, the Marans managed to stage a comeback in just two years. In 2011, their arch rival J Jayalalithaa returned to power in Tamil Nadu. Initially, the Marans faced some trouble. However, they managed to stay safe and strong.

Their actual troubles began after Dayanidhi was made an accused in the Aircel-Maxis deal. After that he was also caught in the illegal telephone exchange scam. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the AIADMK swept the polls and the DMK reduced to a big zero. For the first time in decades, the DMK was out of power both at the state and at the Centre. It has made the Marans most vulnerable in their entire career.

If the Centre refuses renewal of licences to Sun TV channels, the empire might collapse. Because it is their main business and a big money spinner. Their cable TV business is also facing some trouble. Both the brothers are facing serious allegations and criminal cases. Their party DMK is not in a position to bail them out this time. The DMK is losing its hold over TN politics and the chief minister Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK is looking formidable.

In a major development the Madras High Court has cancelled the anticipatory bail of Dayanidhi Maran in the illegal telephone exchange case. It has also asked him to surrender in the next three days. A rattled Dayanidhi Maran has now moved the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the Madras High Court order. If the SC upholds the Madras HC order, he will have to surrender before the investigating agencies. The situation is going from bad to worse for the Marans.

If the DMK fails to return to power in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election due in April-May 2016, it will be the end of road for the Karunanidhi clan in Tamil Nadu. Possibly for the Marans too.

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