The lovely garland and the hug from ‘elder brother’ Kalaignar when he walked into the Anna Arivalayam after a gap of over 15 months that he spent in Tihar jail might have warmed the heart a bit but former telecom minister A Raja could still be feeling alienated in his party—notwithstanding the trip to his Delhi home by the party’s prince-in-waiting Stalin.

When he landed at the airport Friday evening, there were only a handful of third-rung leaders to greet him. Of course, there were also some 2000-plus cadres from hometown Perambalur and Parliamentary constituency Nilgiris there, ferried by trucks and vans and fed with biriyani.

These thondars hailed him as the conqueror of Tihar (Thiharey vendra theeran) and true Tamil (Thamizh maravan) and their slogans had no space for either party president Karunanidhi or the heir apparent Stalin. There was less number of DMK flags compared to the Raja posters that the crowd waved.

However, seasoned politicians that the two are, Karunanidhi and Raja did not have to search for words declaring to the media during the interaction at Arivalayam how they felt emotional “just like two brothers reunited after a long separation”.

“Do not cause problems, behave responsibly”, quipped Karunanidhi when a scribe asked Raja whether he felt hurt seeing that he got a smaller reception at the airport compared to the one the party gave Kanimozhi and that no senior turned up to greet him.

“After Kalaignar spoke to me, after treasurer thalapathi (Stalin) came all the way to Delhi to see me, and after Kalagnar garlanded me, I feel I need nothing more”, declared Raja. “Even in prison, I felt safe in the hands of Kalaignar and the party just like a baby in the womb. I continue to feel safe”.

Raja refuses to accept CAG, CBI estimates of loss to exchequer

Former telecom minister A. Raja, a key accused in the 2G spectrum scam, on Friday said the court has not accepted the Rs 1.76 lakh crore (presumptive loss as estimated by the Comptroller and Auditor General) and the CBI’s estimation of ` 35,000 crore loss to the exchequer in the allocation of 2G spectrum license.

“The figure of Rs 1.76 lakh crore was mentioned in the Supreme Court. Then CBI said it is Rs 35,000 crore. The trial court did not accept even that while framing the charge sheet. Only the media is quoting the Rs 1.76 lakh crore. No court has framed charges against me for Rs 1.76 lakh crore,” Mr Raja told reporters after meeting his party chief M. Karunanidhi at Anna Arivalayam.

To persistent queries on the CAG figure, he said Rs 1.76 lakh crore was not substantiated. “It was not admitted by the trial court. Why should I bother about it? The chargesheet said Rs 35,000 crore but the trial court did not accept it.”

When asked what was the actual figure, the former minister said, “You go through the chargesheet filed in the court. There is no mention of exchequer loss in it. On the other hand, (charge of) abuse of power was framed.” Asked if he still maintained he was innocent, Raja said “yes”.

On how he would prove his innocence, the Nilgiri MP said, “They have conducted raids against all seven brothers and sisters. ED had come. CBI had come. Income tax had come. I asked what have you found? I will continue to ask the same question.”