Raja Stays Unrocked

n December 2007, Union telecom minister A. Raja came in for praise from an unusual quarter: the Tata group chairman Ratan Tata. In a handwritten letter to Tamil Nadu CM M. Karunanidhi, Tata—a victim of Raja’s predecessor Dayanidhi Maran, who had reportedly tried to arm-twist the group to give an equity share in its direct-to-home venture to the Sun TV group—reportedly praised Raja’s "rational, fair and action-oriented" leadership, stressing the spectrum controversy had been created by "vested interests".

Almost a year on, Raja—despite that unusual endorsement—finds himself in a first-class controversy. If national parties, ranging from the BJP to the CPI, CPI(M) and Samajwadi Party, as well as local Tamil Nadu parties such as Vaiko’s MDMK, not to mention Sun TV, have been baying for his blood, the DMK has been standing steadfast by his side. Karunanidhi has been quoted as saying he believes Raja’s explanation. A DMK source told Outlook: "The DMK is fully backing Raja. The PM is in the picture. We are not worried, and neither is the Congress. Maran, who was replaced by Raja, is fuelling the controversy."

Indeed, the Congress appears unconcerned. Sources in the PMO said that the prime minister had no intention of interfering in the controversy. The Congress appears to be backing Raja as well. "The telecom sector is well regulated and is a success story of Indian liberalisation," points out party spokesperson Manish Tewari. "If anyone has a problem with the allotment of spectrum, he should approach TDSAT." He said he was "not defending Raja" but would rather that the tribunal adjudicate. This is election time, and every ally is precious. The Congress is clearly in no mood to rock the UPA boat.