We can’t interfere in legal process, says Azad
NEW DELHI: The Congress' sympathies are with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), but it cannot interfere with the legal process — this was the unequivocal message that the ruling party at the Centre gave DMK supremo M. Karunanidhi, who concluded a two-day visit to the national capital where he had a tearful reunion with his daughter and Rajya Sabha MP, Kanimozhi, who is in Tihar Jail facing charges in the 2G spectrum scandal.
There was no meeting between Mr. Karunanidhi and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, but several Congress leaders called on the DMK patriarch at the Taj Mahal Hotel on Man Singh Road.
On Monday, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office V. Narayanasamy met Mr. Karunanidhi, while on Tuesday, Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan and Union Health Minister — and party functionary in charge of Tamil Nadu — Ghulam Nabi Azad called on the octogenarian leader.
The Congress was at pains, however, to stress that the relationship between the two parties — which together faced a humiliating defeat in the recent Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu — would remain unaffected by Ms. Kanimozhi's arrest. Mr. Azad said: “All these goings-on will have no effect on the DMK-Congress alliance, and in future also it will have no effect.”
‘Limited role'
Responding to questions from journalists, shortly after he met Mr. Karunanidhi, Mr. Azad also clarified that the government could not interfere in the legal process. He said Mr. Karunanidhi was aware of the limited role the Centre could play in the case as the Supreme Court was directly monitoring the 2G spectrum case.
“Mr. Karunanidhi is a man of political standing and also a man of political understanding. He knows well that the Supreme Court is monitoring the case and a special court is looking into it,” Mr. Azad said, adding: “He also knows the... Government of India... is not interfering in any case, including the [Suresh] Kalmadi case.”
Praising the DMK leader for his judgement, Mr. Azad pointed out that the former understood the circumstances, the dominating situation and the role of law agencies in the matter. The two also discussed the recent election results during their meeting.
Aware of the sensitivities involved, Mr. Azad also conveyed Ms. Gandhi's concern about Ms. Kanimozhi's plight and his party's sympathies to the DMK over the issue.
“Our leader Sonia Gandhi is concerned because a woman is in jail,” he said.
‘Ties unchanged'
Meanwhile, Ms. Natarajan told journalists that she had met Mr. Karunanidhi as a matter of courtesy and that the ties between the Congress and DMK remained unchanged.
“The DMK has said that it will fight the case legally,” she said.
Party spokesperson Manish Tewari, stressing the need for “sensitivity” on the issue, said the “pain” of a father should be understood. However, he added that the Congress was clear: the law would take its course.
Echoing Mr. Azad, Mr. Tewari said: “It is a strong alliance. We have fought elections together and we are participating in government together. Victory and defeat are part of the natural rhythm of the democratic process and it will not affect our equation.”
Reference from The Hindu.
