This Article is From Mar 26, 2011

Will support Raja as long as the party backs him: Kanimozhi

Chennai: Karunanidhi's daughter and DMK leader Kanimozhi in an interview to NDTV denied all charges levelled against her and her party and said the charges are all perception based. There is no truth in the matter, she stated.

"See, right from the beginning we have been saying that it is a perception, the allegations are based on perception and the case is in court and let's see what comes out of it," she said.

She told NDTV that being questioned by the Central Bureau of the Investigation (CBI) was not an easy experience.

"I will continue doing and pursuing other interests but I am here to stay. I will stay, fight and come out clean," said Kanimozhi.

She stood by ex-Telecom Minister A Raja and said she would support him as long as the party was behind him. 

She said she was surprise at the death of Sadiq Batcha, a close associate of A Raja, who was found hanging at his home.

She said she barely knew Batcha and denied having received any money from Mr Batcha.

Kanimozhi and Dayalu Ammal together own 80 per cent stake in Kalaignar TV. A cheque for Rs 214 crore that was deposited with Kalaignar has led to the theory that the channel may have served as a front for those involved with the scam, including the DMK's A Raja, who is now in jail. 

In 2008, when he was Telecom Minister, Mr Raja gave away valuable spectrum at throwaway prices to companies including Swan Telecom, promoted by Shahid Balwa. He allegedly repaid Mr Raja Rs 214 crore. Investigators believe the bribe was paid via a Mumbai company named Cineyug Films to Kalaignar TV. 

However, Kanimozhi and the management of the channel have both said that the money was a loan that was repaid with an interest of Rs 30 crore.

Kanimozhi questioned that how can a loan that is returned be a bribe?

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