Vir Sanghvi: Hello. Niira Radia: Sorry to disturb you.
Vir Sanghvi: Hi, no problem, bolo (tell)? Niira Radia: They had a meeting.
Vir Sanghvi: Okay. Niira Radia: M.K. Narayanan had come.
Vir Sanghvi: Okay. Niira Radia: And as suggested it was Kani only.
Vir Sanghvi: Okay. Niira Radia: And they had a, they are still stuck to their four formula and one independent.
Vir Sanghvi: Okay. Niira Radia: But these people will also think about it and let him know tomorrow morning. He is...
Vir Sanghvi: But they will not say anything about the family or whatever, right? Niira Radia: No. He clarified everything that you had told him.
Vir Sanghvi: Okay, very good. Niira Radia: I think that there was no issue and there was, and there was lot of relief from this Chief Minister's side.
Vir Sanghvi: Okay. Niira Radia: And he realized that, you know, this is all being done by...
Vir Sanghvi: By Maran. Niira Radia: by this person ...yeah. But the thing is that it appears that he is still under a lot of pressure to take Maran, you know, so...
Vir Sanghvi: Where is this coming from this pressure? Niira Radia: It's coming from Stalin and his sister Selvi.
Vir Sanghvi: Okay. Niira Radia: So, I believe Maran has given about 600 crores to Dayalu, Stalin's mother.
Vir Sanghvi: 600 crores, okay? Niira Radia: 600 crores, is what I'm told.
Vir Sanghvi: It's hard to argue with that kind of pressure? Niira Radia: Isn't it. So, he is...
Vir Sanghvi: Yeah. Niira Radia: ...but no, but he doesn't know, the father doesn't, I mean,
Vir Sanghvi: Doesn't realize what - Niira Radia: Doesn't realize that. But this is the feedback that Azhagiri has got.
Vir Sanghvi: Okay. Niira Radia: And ...
Vir Sanghvi: So, basically what they want is a little more flexibility and posts right? They want probably more cabinets or something?
Niira Radia: They are saying one more cabinet and Kani in any case was independent charge. Vir Sanghvi: Yeah.
Niira Radia: But if they stick to three and give independent charge, then Kani gets her independent and then Azhagiri, Baalu and Raja come in? Vir Sanghvi: That's not so bad, you know.
Niira Radia: Yeah, so I think... Vir Sanghvi: ...unless Maran is one of the cabinet.
Niira Radia: Yeah. But yeah, unless Maran is one of the cabinet. But I don't think he can give it to three family members. Vir Sanghvi: Yeah.
Niira Radia: That will send a very wrong signals. Vir Sanghvi: That's right.
Niira Radia: So, the best thing is, you know, if I don't know whether Narayanan can say that, I mean he can't say who should be the people. But he could probably go back and say that, you know, Baalu and Raja and Azhagiri is the best option and Kani, you know.
Vir Sanghvi: And it's good for the government also, that doesn't seem to be giving it to the family. Niira Radia: Yeah. Yeah but then I don't know whether he is in the position to take names, you know.
Vir Sanghvi: Because Baalu and Raja are saying it is being spread by Maran saying that we don't, nobody wants them because they are crooks and all that, to advance his own career, you know.
Niira Radia: Yeah. Yeah. So, if there was anything that could be said which is, that, that you know, you know, if, if Narayanan was to come back tomorrow and say by looking, I think, we think that may be the three and we'll see a little later for the fourth one. But for now let's just look at Azhagiri, Baalu and Raja...
Vir Sanghvi: And, and, and see Maran... Niira Radia: ...and we can give independent to Kani.
Vir Sanghvi: Yeah. Makes sense. Niira Radia: And, and that would be a, a good thing for him to say. And they are asking for Environment and Forest.
Vir Sanghvi: See Narayanan will talk to PM. Then they have to communicate, he won't talk to the Congress President, then somebody has - Niira Radia: Hmm?
Vir Sanghvi: He won't talk to Congress president. So, somebody says he's PM's man, he has gone on behalf of PM. So, they will, PMO will send its feedback to Congress party. So, that stage my friends will get a ....
Niira Radia: So they will in any case speak to Ahmed, you know. Vir Sanghvi: Yeah. Yeah, they will. And nothing will happen without his getting involved.
Niira Radia: Yeah. Vir Sanghvi: So, I'll speak to him right away and convey this?
Niira Radia: Yeah. But maybe that, you know, he would have to specify then that we are not too comfortable with Maran... Vir Sanghvi: Yeah.
Niira Radia: ...and let it be Baalu and Raja because so much has been said and then it would also, also send a wrong message that if you don't take Baalu and Raja now. But I don't know whether they will say that, huh?
Vir Sanghvi: I don't know. Well let's, let's. No, harm trying. Niira Radia: But therefore Kani, he is asking for, he is not told Narayanan this but they've suggested a couple of ministries.
Vir Sanghvi: Which one? Niira Radia: But they are saying okay, Telecom is going to Raja in any case.
Vir Sanghvi: Okay. Niira Radia: That, the old man is very clear about.
Vir Sanghvi: Okay. Niira Radia: But as far as the other two are concerned, he doesn't mind. He is not very fussed about Chemical, Fertilizer and Labour. Vir Sanghvi: Okay.
Niira Radia: But for Kani, he would prefer that she gets independent charge Environment and Forest or something like that. You know, where she can get her teeth in and she is I think, she is very upright with it. So, they shouldn't have any problem with her, or by the way Aviation also.
Vir Sanghvi: What about Civil Aviation? Niira Radia: And Civil Aviation.
Vir Sanghvi: It gives her the, it gives her the profile she would need, you know. Niira Radia: She wants Aviation because, why she says Aviation because she can do Chennai airport, Salem and Madurai and all that, you know...
Vir Sanghvi: Yeah. Niira Radia: ...it gives her the, the foothold for the political side. Vir Sanghvi: We don't have anyone there. Let me talk.
Niira Radia: Yeah. And she is intelligent and she will do justice, because they are saying Environment and Forest and Aviation for Kani in independent charge. Vir Sanghvi: I'll pass this on?
Niira Radia: Yeah. Thanks. Thanks to you. Vir Sanghvi: Yeah.
Niira Radia: That was really great huh, your, you know, you all, I mean it was exactly as you had said and... Vir Sanghvi: Okay.
Niira Radia: They were very relieved and she was so relieved. So, wants to say thank you to you personally. Vir Sanghvi: I'll pass it...
Niira Radia: Let's hope tomorrow it will... and Azhagiri has got all those messages. My person came back and confirmed. Vir Sanghvi: Oh, very good.