DMK women’s conference begins

CUDDALORE: The maiden two-day State-level conference of the women’s wing of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam began at the Periyar complex in Perarignar Anna Nagar on Manjakuppam grounds here on Saturday.

Party president M. Karunanidhi arrived at the venue at about 10.30 a.m. and handed over the party flag to Vasanthi Ganesan, who hoisted it on the 85-foot tall mast painted in black and red, in the presence of Kanimozhi, MP, S.P. Sargunapandian, Poongothai Aladi Aruna and other women’s wing functionaries such as Noorjahan Begum, Gayathri Srinivasan and P. Rani.

Union Minister for Telecommunications A. Raja, Union Minister of State for Law K. Venkatapathi, Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam, and others accompanied Mr. Karunanidhi.

A Kannagi statue, with an outstretched hand and an anklet in the other hand, had been installed in the forefront of the massive pandal.

In the evening, Mr. Karunanidhi witnessed a long stretch of women’s procession that wound its way from the Silver Beach to the venue from a specially erected podium at the Beach Road-Judge’s Bungalow Road junction.

Union Minister for Shipping and Road Transport T.R. Baalu, Finance Minister K. Anbalagan, Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerasami, PWD Minister Durai Murugan and other Cabinet Minister also watched the procession from the dais.

All roads leading to the venue were decked with colourful arches, cutouts, banners and festoons. The traffic intersections were decorated as mini-mandaps and adorned with portraits of leaders.