"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 Raja who drove straight to the party headquarters from the airport to meet the DMK chief.
Answering questions, the DMK patriarch said Raja was still active in politics and would speak in public meetings.
Echoeing the sentiments expressed by Karunanidhi on their meeting, Raja, when asked if DMK stood by him, said "I was, have been and will be like a child in the hands of 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 Rs 1.76 lakh crore (presumptive loss as estimated by the Comptroller and Auditor General).
"Earlier Rs 1.76 lakh crore was mentioned in the Supreme Court. Then CBI said it is Rs 35,000 crore. The trial court did not accept even that. Only the media is quoting the CAG and says that it is Rs 1.76 lakh crore. No court has framed charges against me for Rs 1.76 lakh crore," Raja said.
To persistent queries on the CAG figure, he said Rs 1.76 lakh crore was not substantiated. "It was not admitted by the trial court. Why should I bother about it? The chargesheet said Rs 35,000 crore but the trial court did not accept it."
Asked what was the actual figure, he said "no, you go through the charges framed. The charges framed by the trial court clearly says the exchequer loss is not mentioned and exchequer loss is not necessary. On the other hand, (charge of) abuse of power was framed." MORE
