Contrasting moods in DMK, AIADMK camps following arrest

Chennai, Feb 2 (PTI) The arrest of former UnionTelecom Minister and DMK''s Dalit face A Raja in connectionwith the 2G spectrum scam saw contrasting moods in the campsof two Dravidian political arch rivals-- DMK and AIADMK- inTamil Nadu.

The arrest, coming a day ahead of DMK''s top policymaking body''s meeting, kept the party camp in low spirits,while AIADMK rejoiced the latest in the scandal that has cometo rock the ruling party and its ally Congress.

The DMK camp, led by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi,chose to maintain a stoic silence on the issue that has thrownup a major challenge ahead of the Assembly polls.

The otherwise media-friendly Karunanidhi choose tokeep waiting journalists at bay today as his securityofficials ensured reporters got little access to theoctogenarian leader.

Reporters were not allowed anywhere near him either athis CIT Colony or Gopalapuram residences or the stateSecretariat where he headed a meeting on opening price bids toprocure 10 lakh Colour TV sets to be distributed in the nextphase as part of the ruling DMK''s key populist measure.

The AIADMK, whose party chief J Jayalalithaa had beengoing hammer and tongs against her arch rival on the 2G scam,celebrated Raja''s arrest by bursting crackers and distributingsweets, especially outside the party headquarters here.

Jayalalithaa, who had described Raja''s arrest as"theatrics," had been demanding for long that the DMK MP fromNilgiris be apprehended for his alleged role in the scam. PTISA RA BN