Arriving here on his first visit to his home state after 15 months in jail, former communications minister and 2G spectrum scam key accused A. Raja was on Friday given a boisterous reception by his supporters and an emotional welcome by DMK chief M. Karunanidhi who called him as his younger brother.
“It is like an elder brother meeting his younger brother after a year,” 89-year old Karunanidhi told reporters after the 10-minute meeting with Mr Raja, who drove straight to the party headquarters from the airport to meet the DMK chief.
Answering questions, the DMK patriarch said Mr Raja was still active in politics and will speak in public meetings.
Echoeing the sentiments expressed by Mr Karunanidhi on their meeting, Mr Raja, when asked if the DMK stood by him, said, “I was, have been and will be like a child in the hands of the revered and respected leader (Karunanidhi).”
Asked about the 2G scam being described as the biggest one since independence, he said no court has framed charges against him for the `1.76 lakh crores (presumptive loss as estimated by the Comptroller and Auditor General). “Earlier `1.76 lakh crores was mentioned in the Supreme Court. Then the CBI said it is `35,000 crores. The trial court did not accept even that. Only the media is quoting the CAG and says that it is `1.76 lakh crores. No court has framed charges against me for `1.76 lakh crores,” Mr Raja said.