Letters: Arrested development - I

With former telecom minister A Raja’s arrest flashing on TV screens on Wednesday, the electronic media seems to be claiming victory, much like Columbus’ discovery of America. But if one reads between the lines, the entire thriller would look like a match-fixing drama, as though the show was stage-managed. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who had planned his trip ostensibly to discuss seat sharing, spent a couple of days in New Delhi, playing a waiting game to meet Congress party President Sonia Gandhi. The one-man enquiry pointed its fingers at Raja and the following day Karunanidhi returned to Tamil Nadu putting on a brave face. Even after Raja’s arrest, Karunanidhi claimed that there was no official news. The Congress still says its alliance with the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) is intact. Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee are tongue-tied, as though in a silent penance. This is perhaps the best match-fixing drama of the year.

S Venugopalan, Chennai

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