CPI-M lambasts CM for playing 'Dalit card' in 2G scam

Tamil Nadu CPI(M) today accused Chief Minister and DMK president M Karunanidhi of playing the Dalit card in the 2G spectrum scam in which his party colleague A Raja is allegedly involved.

"The fact that he has stated that Raja was being targeted since he is a Dalit is nothing but diversionary tactics. People will not accept this," CPI(M) state unit secretary G Ramakrishnan told a press conference here.

Karunanidhi had said recently at Vellore that Raja was being targeted since he was a Dalit.

"Is it fair to adopt one stand against a Brahmin (late T T Krishnamachary) and another against a Dalit (Raja)," the DMK president had said on Saturday.

He had pointed out that when an allegation of corruption was levelled in the Nehru era against then Finance Minister Krishnamachary, he had resigned from the Union ministry and opposition, which demanded a JPC probe before his resignation, had allowed Parliament to function after his exit.

Ramakrishnan said his party would stage a state-wide campaign, including 50 public meetings from December 5 to 11 against various scams which have surfaced in recent times, including that relating to 2G spectrum, Adarsh Housing Society and the land scam in Karnataka, allegedly involving Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.

He said that CPI(M) would also hold over 5000 street corner meetings besides distributing about two lakh booklets compiled by the party's Central committee, detailing the various scams during the UPA-II regime.

Reiterating his party's demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe allegations of 2G spectrum scam, Ramakrishnan said a JPC "can even summon a Prime Minister."