2G verdict: Clean chit for DMK may change political equations, say experts

The CBI Special Court's verdict to acquit all the accused, including senior DMK leaders, may trigger a political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the verdict, the 2G scandal, which loomed over DMK's political ambition is cleared now. 

The Order also came on a day RK Nagar is going for by-poll and experts say it may have some effect in favour of DMK.

Following the verdict, DMK supporters have started celebrating across the city, especially in RK Nagar, after their leaders were acquitted in the 2G spectrum scam. They wanted to send out the message to the locals through the celebrations, said an observer.

BJP MP Subramanian Swamy earlier tweeted saying "I learn from some BJP activists that the Chennai RK Nagar poll has narrowed to DMK vs Dinakaran. Obviously then Tamils must vote for TTVD."

The seat fell vacant after the death of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

DMK Working President M K Stalin met the party supremo and his father M Karunanidhi, soon after the verdict and commented that injustice has failed and good deeds have emerged victorious.

DMK MP Kanimozhi said, "the verdict is an answer to all the problems we faced. DMK will win the elections (RK Nagar)."

It may be noted, the Special CBI Court acquitted all the accused in the 2G scam case on polling day.

The acquitted included DMK MP Kanimozhi and former Telecom minister A Raja. Kanimozhi is the daughter of party President M Karunanidhi, who may get deputy working president post in the party and A Raja was close to the first family of DMK. Both were sidelined in the party ever since they were arrested in 2011 in the alleged 2G scam, which resulted in the party to lose Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in 2011 and 2014. 

Former late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's 2011 campaign theme was 'DMK's first family were a den of corruption.” 

For Raja, the 2G verdict could allow him to bounce back as the DMK’s main Dalit face. He was once Karunanidhi’s favourite, a position he could now claim again.  The Order can be seen as a boost for the DMK.

Political experts says DMK will be the better option – be it national and regional – to align with for the upcoming elections. DMK would have an edge over AIADMK  as it is facing leadership vacuum and infight, which has led the party to split into three and now two.

DMK has been a key ally for Congress-led UPA as several DMK leaders, including Raja, Dayanidhi Maran, T R Baalu held key positions in the cabinet during UPA rule.

DMK supporters distribute sweets in celebration in Coimbatore after the acquittal of all the accused in #2GScamVerdict by Delhi's Patiala House Court. (Photo: ANI)

 

But, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sudden visit to Karunanidhi's house in November led to speculation that DMK and BJP will join hands in the future. DMK's working President or Crown Prince of DMK M K Stalin used to oppose Centre, Modi and BJP openly in the past.

There are different views also, BJP's primary charge has been that the UPA government perpetrated the scam. When there is a verdict against it, they have to go for an appeal. “I don't see the possibility of an immediate political tie-up between BJP and DMK because of this verdict,” argues Sumanth Raman, a political commentator.

It will certainly give a boost to DMK in terms of the morale of the cadre and leaders since it has been the major case that has been used against them for years now. But eventually, we have to wait for an election to see whether they can capitalise on that, he adds.

“There will be a realignment in the political scenario in Tamil Nadu following the verdict. Political parties may now gravitate towards DMK without any hesitation as the shadow of the 2G case is no more there on the party,” said another expert.

Meanwhile, Stalin on Thursday welcomed the Delhi court’s judgement in the 2G spectrum scandal acquitting all the accused and termed it as “historic”.

The case was filed in 2009. In the political history, a case was filed to defame and obliterate a political party, said Stalin.