TN CM defends party colleague on 2G spectrum allotment

Chennai, Nov 7 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi today came to the defence of his party colleague and Union Communications Minister A Raja on the issue of 2G Spectrum allotment stating all decisions were taken in consultation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Answering a set of questions, Mr Karunanidhi, referring to the probe sought by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) into the 2G spectrum allotment issue, said Mr Raja had already clarified all decisions pertaining to his department were taken in consultation with the Prime Minister.

Stating Mr Raja, hailing from a Scheduled Caste community,fought against many odds to come up in life and became a Union Minister, the Chief Minister said ''some people do not like Mr Raja being in the present position and it is unfortunate the CPI(M) has also joined the bandwagon and is seeking a probe.'' He stated while the CPI(M) was seeking a probe into the ''deal,'' Party Union Leader and United Forum of BSNL Unions Organiser V A N Namboodri had congratulated and thanked Mr Raja for taking the 'courageous decision' in alloting 3G spectrum to BSNL in advance without any auction, which was in the best interest of BSNL and the workers.

''We do not find any deviation in the prevailing policy of the government and endorse the decision of the government in this regard,'' Mr Karunanidhi quoted Mr Namboodri as having said.

On AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa hitting out at Dr Singh and Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Mr Karunanidhi said this was not the first time she criticised national leaders, which was in bad taste.

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