Raja promises to 'cooperate' with CBI

CHENNAI, INDIA: DMK leader and former communications minister A. Raja on Wednesday evening left for New Delhi after promising to cooperate with the CBI that is probing the spectrum scandal.

"I will be in New Delhi for two or three days and cooperate with the investigating agencies," Raja told reporters here, referring to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which has summoned him.

"I have informed CBI that I will be in Delhi for two or three days," he added.

Raja has been summoned for questioning on the controversial allocation of second generation spectrum to mobile telephony companies at prices that have caused huge losses to the government.

On Monday, Raja had said that he had sought time from the CBI as he had some personal work to attend in Chennai and requested alternative dates when he could be questioned.

Raja, who quit last month over his suspected involvement in the spectrum scam, was expected to appear before the investigating agency on Wednesday, an official said.

The CBI has searched Raja's residences in New Delhi and in Perambalur in Tamil Nadu as well as the homes and business premises of his relatives and other associates.

Also raided by the CBI were a host of people associated with Raja, including corporate lobbyist Niira Radia and an NGO linked to DMK MP and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi.

Raja has denied charges of wrongdoing.

Meanwhile Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK has gone into damage control mode and will hold public meetings in districts from Friday to explain its stand on the 2G spectrum scam.

"The party has decided to explain to the people the whole spectrum allocation issue. Senior leaders and DMK MPs will address the meetings to be held from Friday," DMK spokesperson and MP T.K.S. Elangovan said.

"The spectrum issue is being blown out of proportion," he added.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Tuesday urged cadres to speak to people about what the party calls the misdeeds of AIADMK rule under its chief J. Jayalalithaa.

On the issue of the leaked Niira Radia tapes, DMK leaders say it is for Tata Group chief Ratan Tata to explain the hiring of the corporate lobbyist and her attempts to influence the formation of union government in 2009 - mainly to keep out Dayanidhi Maran from the telecom ministry.