Karunanidhi rules out A Raja's resignation

DMK chief M Karunanidhi today strongly stood behind A Raja, who is facing the opposition heat on the 2G spectrum allocation, and virtually ruled out his resignation, saying the Telecom Minister only went by the procedures followed by his predecessors.

He also said there was no need for him to talk to the Congress over the issue.

"He is not a criminal. He just went by the procedures set by his predecessors Pramod Mahajan and Arun Shourie of the previous NDA Government. When he has followed the rules, how can you say Raja flouted the rules," he told reporters here.

"He followed the policies," was Karunanidhi's prompt reply when pressed on the issue.

About the CAG report indicting him for causing a loss to the tune of Rs 1.76 crore lakh to the exchequer, Karunanidhi said, "I know about the report. It has given adverse reports about all prime ministers and chief ministers."

He also said a "English newspaper" was publishing reports about the CAG's observation.

On AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa's offer to provide support to UPA Government, Karunanidhi said "she has been shown the door."

"They (Congress) have told her that there are no vacancies. They have closed the door," he said.