CHENNAI: Former Union minister A Raja has been dragged into yet another controversy, providing fresh ammunition to the opposition in the run up to the assembly election scheduled for next year.
AIADMK MP and party spokesman V Maitreyan said, "As soon as the news (of Raja having allegedly attempted to speak to a judge) broke in 2009, my party spearheaded a signature campaign in Parliament. A memorandum, signed by 200 MPs from various parties, was submitted to the Prime Minister, demanding a detailed inquiry. Since the Madras high court named Raja's involvement as a minister in the mark-sheet scam, he should be charged with contempt of court."
Party presidium chairman of DMDK, Panruti S Ramachandran said the news was shocking. "Being a Cabinet minister, it is quite unbecoming of him to have influenced a judge of the high court. It only establishes the height of arrogance on his part. It is high time the unholy DMK-Congress alliance was put out of power," he said.
The CPM, however, believed the situation has reached its climax, and no further proof was needed for taking action against Raja. "In the light of the appellate court saying that Raja was disrespectful towards the court, the chief minister must take action against him immediately," said CPM state secretary G Ramakrishnan.
Senior Congress leader and strident DMK critic, EVKS Elangovan, "A lot of issues have been reported of some ministers interfering in matters of state and the police. Now it has reached the top level. A minister of a Cabinet rank influencing the judiciary is unimaginable. It's high time the DMK took action against Raja. If the party doesn't take action, people will lose faith in the government."
No comments:
Post a Comment