2G spectrum scam: DMK backs A Raja

CHENNAI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) opted to brazen it out on the 2G-spectrum allocation scam by backing disgraced party leader and former telecom minister A Raja, who was arrested on Wednesday by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In a resolution adopted during its general council meeting on Thursday morning, the party backed Raja, its prominent Dalit face, saying his arrest was not proof of his guilt.

"DMK is with Raja and Raja is with DMK. The arrest does not mean that he is guilty," DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan said after the meeting.

Till the party's position on Raja was known, suspense permeated Tamil Nadu politics. Since the arrest took place a day after Karunanidhi concluded his New Delhi visit, it wasn't clear if the party had changed its mind about Raja, and whether the party would decide to drop the political hot potato with months to go for assembly elections in the state. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's decision to back Raja isn't entirely surprising.

Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi's statement after the meeting that people should respect the party resolution reflects the inner-party divisions and a more serious rift within the family. The patriarch's sons Stalin and Azhagiri have both been pressing DMK chief M Karunanidhi to distance the party from Raja. Kanimozhi and her mother Rajathi Ammal are believed to be sympathetic to Raja.

The general council meeting of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam also considered the Tamil Nadu fishermen issue. The party demanded a new resolution to be signed to establish Tamil Nadu's rights once again at Katchatheevu, an island that was given to Sri Lanka in 1974.