SALEM: Despite the Madras High Court granting bail to former agriculture minister and DMK district secretary Veerapandi S Arumugam on August 30, his presence during the visit of M K Stalin on September 2 is doubtful.Arumugam’s lawyer A Moorthy said that it would be difficult to get the former minister out before September 2 because of court holidays. Only when the court resumes can the High Court order be produced to the Central Prison in Coimbatore, said the former minister’s lawyer.The Madras High Court granted bail for the former minister on August 30 with a condition to execute personnel and third party sureties in the Salem Judicial Magistrate Court. Arumugam was also directed to appear whenever summoned before the Central Crime Branch police, which is investigating the land grab cases registered against him.Meanwhile hectic preparations are on to welcome Stalin who is on a statewide campaign against land grab cases being foisted by the AIADMK government against the DMK leaders.Ironically Arumugam who is facing land grab charges will not be able to take part in the campaign as he is likely to remain in jail till September 5 or 6.Less hopeful of his presence the Urban District committee which is managing the preparations has not included his name in the invitation cards. The public address of Stalin will be held in the presence of ex-minister’s son A Raja. A host of office bearers of various wings of the party will speak. Party sources said that this is the first occasion after the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) period that a major event is being organised in the absence of Arumugam.In another twist of events, Stalin’s supporters are in the forefront in organising the meeting, while Arumugam’s confidantes are keeping a low profile. Even among Stalin’s supporters there seems to be split with a group headed by former councillor Gunasekaran putting up separate welcome cut outs without Arumugam’s picture.
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