- The audio purportedly shows Raja criticising the DMK's first family over the 2G case.
- Raja has strongly denied the authenticity of the clip and has issued a legal notice, calling it "manipulated."
- Raja and 16 others were acquitted in 2017
The controversy surrounding the 2G spectrum case has resurfaced after an alleged audio clip of DMK MP A Raja went viral on social media.
The audio, released by YouTuber Maridhas, purportedly shows Raja criticising the DMK's first family over the 2G corruption case. However, Raja has strongly denied the authenticity of the clip and has issued a legal notice, calling it "manipulated."
The AIADMK has seized the opportunity to use the controversy as a campaign issue ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections later this month. Party leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), while addressing a rally in Krishnagiri, alleged that the audio exposes contradictions within the DMK.
Quoting the contents of the viral clip, Palaniswami claimed that Raja had expressed dissatisfaction over the party's treatment of him compared to Kanimozhi during the 2G case. He further alleged that the audio points to caste discrimination within the DMK, despite its public stance on social justice.
Palaniswami also stated that the clip suggests financial irregularities concerning the DMK-linked Kalaignar TV and makes serious claims about the treatment of former chief minister M Karunanidhi during his final days under the leadership of MK Stalin.
Raja, who was the Union telecom minister at the time, and others were accused in the 2G spectrum case, which involved the alleged below-market-price sale of lucrative telecom permits bundled with airwaves in 2008, which the national auditor said may have cost the government as much as Rs 1.76 lakh crore in revenue loss. Raja and 16 others were acquitted in 2017.
The case, which the then opposition termed one of the world's largest scams, is widely seen as a key factor in the DMK's defeat in the 2011 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and the Congress party's loss in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
In his legal notice, Raja said that the viral clip is not a continuous or original recording but a "carefully curated and manipulated compilation". He has also alleged the possible use of AI and other technologies to fabricate the audio and has demanded an unconditional apology, along with disclosure of the source and editing process.
Tamil Nadu will vote on April 23, and results will be declared on May 4.
