The Congress is confident that the arrest of former telecom minister A. Raja and CBI’s search of Kalaigner TV office in Chennai in connection with the 2G spectrum scam, would not have a bearing on its alliance with the DMK.
Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi is playing his cards cautiously after realising that he cannot defeat the AIADMK on his own this time. Of late, he brought the PMK back to the DMK led Front and left 31 Assembly seats to the PMK. This is seen as a significant development in the state which could check the Congress’ bargaining strategy for more seats.
The Congress does not see the DMK becoming a liability for it in the coming electoral battle mainly because it has no major stakes in Tamil Nadu. Therefore, a electoral outcome would not have any bearing on the Centre. “If the DMK retains power, it would be well and good. We would ask for power sharing. But if the results go against us, then the DMK would depend more on the Congress,” they said.
The DMK has 18 members in the Lok Sabha and a defeat would ensure their support to the UPA.
According to the insiders, the Congress is more comfortable with the DMK than the Jayalalithaa-led party.
Meanwhile, the Congress on Saturday said that action into the 2G Spectrum scam would not affect the “political alliance” between them.