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The multi-crore 2G scam seems to be a non-issue for the electorate in Nilgiri (SC) Lok Sabha constituency, where the scam tainted former Telecom Minister DMK's A Raja is bidding for a second term.
While the ruling AIADMK and BJP have been making the 2G scam against Raja their main poll plank in this hill station that attracts tourists throughout the year, the DMK leader and the party's Dalit face is interestingly using it to his own advantage in the April 24 polls.
Raja, on a gruelling campaign across the six Assembly segments of the constituency, which has a sizeable number of expatriate Tamils, narrates to voters that he has been made a victim for his efforts to revolutionise the telecom sector by ensuring that the benefits of communication are enjoyed even by the poor.
Raja had spent over 15 months in Tihar Jail following his arrest in the scam, that even put DMK chief M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi behind bars.
Making an emotional appeal to the electorate, he says, "I am optimistic that the judgement in the court of law will be in my favour. Before that I want a verdict from the people."
A PTI correspondent, who toured parts of the constituency, found locals were disinterested in discussing 2G. Their primary concern was issues that affect them like drinking water and space congestion in the hill area, among others.
People insist that whoever is elected should focus on projects to generate more employment and bring in some industry.
"I want to put up a question before the people's court (and tell them) that what happened in 2G, I launched a revolution. It is known in history that a person who has launched a revolution is often termed a criminal. So I want to have a judgement from the people first," Raja told PTI amidst his hectic poll schedule.
