Marxist party slams Tamil Nadu government over telecom scam

CHENNAI -G. Ramakrishnan, Secretary of the Tamil Nadu unit of the Communist Party of India-Marxist CPI (M), on Friday criticized the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of Tamil Nadu for it’s involvement in the 2G scam.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had raided the office of Kalaignar TV in Chennai on Thursday, after they came to know that Shahid Usman Balwa, an accused in the telecom scam, had arranged a loan of 2 billion rupees for the channel.

“It is a belated action from the CBI. There has been information going around that Cineyug (Cineyug Films Private Limited) Company gave 2 billion rupees to Kalaignar TV. The Kalaignar TV’s general manager replied saying that they had deposited the amount for buying the shares of the Kalaignar TV. Then they got the amount back, (for that), they said they have paid the interest also. It is a dubious deal. It must have some links with 2G (telecom) spectrum affair” he said.

Ramakrishnan criticised Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and said that the DMK defended A. Raja, the former telecom minister, as the CM’s own family members were involved in the scam.. K. Dayalu, Karunanidhi’s wife, has a 60 percent stake in the Kalaignar TV, while his daughter lawmaker Kanimozhi owns 20 percent.

“DMK has decided to defend Raja. There is enough evidence that Raja is involved in all these affairs. 2G Spectrum was allotted wrongfully. Not only Raja, there are many other people who are involved in the scam. CBI and Government should take action against all those who are involved in the 2G Spectrum scam. It is the right time for the CBI to take action against those who are involved in the scam including CM’s family, as both CM and DMK are defending Raja” he said.

Ramakrishnan also said that CBI needs to work independently, and should not be affected by the fact that the DMK is an ally of the Central ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA).eanwhile Central Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni refused to comment on the raid.

“I do not want to respond. There is a commission of inquiry and other agencies are looking into the entire subject. They are doing their job. It is not for me to make a comment on every step they take. It is for them to say on the matter. They have been given a time frame and they are doing whatever they are required to do,” she said.

A report tabled in Parliament had held Raja responsible for losses estimated at Rs. 1.76 trillion to the exchequer in the 2G Telecom Spectrum allotments, by favouring some operators and not resorting to auction.

A court on 17 February had sent Raja to New Delhi’s Tihar Jail for 14 days. The CBI, which has been investigating irregularities in the allocation of spectrum licenses since 2009, arrested Raja and his close aides on February 02 .(ANI)