Raja''s arrest not to affect Cong-DMK ties : Azad

New Delhi, Feb 2 (PTI) Congress today dismissed thecontention that former Telecom minister A Raja''s arrest willstrain ties between the party and DMK in poll-bound TamilNadu, saying their relationship is based on principles,policies and issues and remains intact.

"The relationship between the two parties is intact.

It (Raja''s arrest) will have no effect on Congress-DMKrelationship. The ties between the parties are based onprinciples, policies and issues," AICC general secretaryin-charge for Tamil Nadu Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters here.

Azad said the ties between Congress and DMK is not anarrangement based on relationship between two persons, whichwill be affected by something concerning an individual.

At the same time, he hastened to add, "First of allwhatever allegations are there are to be probed. One cannotbe branded guilty on the basis of suspicion" when askedwhether Raja''s arrest was an embrrassment for the Congress-ledgovernment at the Centre.

Though noting that it was not something which hadhappened for the first time in Indian or world politics, heacknowledged that what had transpired was sad.

"Off course, it is sad that this has happened," hesaid.

Asked whether DMK chief M Karunanidhi was taken intoconfidence on the issue of Raja''s arrest, Azad said CBI hasits own way of doing things and it does not consult politicalleadership before any such actions on what day it will arrestwhich person.

Azad refused to divulge how many seats Congress wouldseeking in Tamilnadu saying the issue is between the twoparties and they will discuss and decide over it when they sittogether.

He parried a question on Congress''s reservationsagainst alliance with PMK saying this is something that theparty would discuss with DMK during seat sharing talks. PTIAMR SPG