The DMK on Friday decided to stay put in the UPA, chickening out after its leaders made some noises blaming the Congress for the spectrum woes and dropping hints that parting of ways was a distinct possibility.
As a face-saving exercise, the DMK blamed the CBI for the legal woes of Ms Kanimozhi and Kalaignar TV.
Obviously, prudence won over valour.
Disturbed over his daughter Kanimozhi being in Tihar jail for the spectrum scam, DMK chief M. Karunanidhi convened a party high-power committee to take stock of the situation and decide on the future course of action, both political and legal. At the end of the session that lasted a little over an hour, the committee slammed the CBI for “adopting double standards” in arresting Ms Kanimozhi when she appeared in the Delhi special court in response to summons. The DMK resolved to back her appeal in the Supreme Court.
Responding to a volley of questions, mostly on the DMK relations with its ally Congress, Mr Karunanidhi said his party did not think that the Congress was unhelpful in the spectrum case. “We have no complaints against them (Congress). We never believed in using the government to interfere in the judicial process,” he said, distinctly irritated at the reporters’ persistent quizzing on the ties with the Congress.
Asked if he was referring to the Congress alliance when he recently stated that bad company (koodaa natpu) would lead to disaster, he snapped: “We certainly have no problems with the Congress, none at all. Our koodaa natpu could be with you, mediapersons.”
The DMK committee passed a resolution saying that the party would hold public meetings and seminars across the state during June 20-30 to expose the CBI’s “wrongdoing” in the spectrum case. The party general council would meet in July, it was announced.
Was convening the general council meant to blackmail the Congress? “Why do you always assume that we are armtwisting the Centre?” he asked.