2G scam: Kanimozhi, Raja justify self before judge

New Delhi, Aug 11: Former Telecom Minister A Raja today (Aug 11) rejected CBI's contention that he had taken unilateral decision on 2G spectrum, saying the PMO had given the nod for spectrum allocation to new operators in January, 2008.

Raja made the remarks while contending that he never wanted to shift the blame on the Prime Minister during his earlier arguments opposing corruption and other penal charges against him.

"CBI says complete PMO was in doubt and I took unilateral decision. But the PMO had itself on January 6, 2008 said that new operators may be alloted spectrum till threshold level on same fees. Even after this note, the CBI is saying that the PMO was in doubt. I exercised due diligence and it is my duty to give details to PM," Raja said.

Raja's remarks to the judge came after his counsel informed the court that they would not argue the case today in view of the lawyers' strike.

"I have been a minister for 12 years at the Centre. When I took oath as a minister, I said I had to abide by the Constitution and not by the advice of the Prime minister (Manmohan Singh) or Chidambaram (erstwhile Finance Minister)," Raja said.

During her turn, DMK MP Kanimozhi, accused of receiving Rs 200 crore as bribe from Shahid Usman Balwa's D B Realty, pleaded innocence in the court saying that she never had "anything to do with the Kalaignar TV."

"I just have to say that I never had anything to do with Kalaignar TV. I do not know how they function and what decisions they take," said Kanimozhi.

PTI