New Delhi:
While former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor paid a heavy price for the allegations against him, it's now Union IT Minister A Raja's turn to face the heat on the 2 G spectrum issue. Can the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) save Raja? DMK chief Karunanidhi will be in Delhi on Sunday to meet Sonia Gandhi.
From being a lawyer in rural Tamil Nadu to becoming the Telecom Minister, A Raja has come a long way. But with Opposition demanding his ouster over 2 G spectrum allotments, will he resign?
No way, say DMK sources. The reason -- Raja has emerged as the Dalit face of the DMK and enjoys a good rapport with his party chief Karunanidhi.
That's why when Karunanidhi's grand nephew Dayanidhi Maran stepped down as IT Minister during UPA, Raja was the automatic choice to replace him. He retains the post in Union Progressive Alliance (UPA) second term as well, though Karunanidhi has patched up with the Maran brothers.
On being asked whether Karunanidhi has full confidence in him, Union Telecom & IT Minister A Raja said, "I don't want to say anything now."
Raja has got embroiled in two major allegations -- the spectrum scam -- and his alleged telephone call to a Madras High Court judge for a favourable order. But so far Karunanidhi has gone soft on him. The Central Burau of Investigation (CBI), that's probing the spectrum scam, recently raided offices of the Telecom Department, but the DMK maintains Raja is targeted as he's a Dalit.
And the government is yet to act against Raja.
"Whose prerogative is it to have or not to have Raja in the Cabinet? Is it the Prime Minister's or Karunanidhi's? I'd put the blame on Manmohan Singh. While no one takes it seriously why should Karunanidhi alone take it seriously, said Cho Ramaswamy, a political analyst.
Karunanidhi is scheduled to discuss with Sonia Gandhi the reluctance of his elder son Union Chemicals Minister to continue in Delhi. While the controversy surrounding Raja has embarrassed the UPA, this is another issue the DMK chief may have to deftly handle.