{"id":79999,"date":"2018-08-08T15:17:02","date_gmt":"2018-08-08T22:17:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=79999"},"modified":"2018-08-08T15:17:02","modified_gmt":"2018-08-08T22:17:02","slug":"from-supporting-ltte-to-dmks-alleged-involvement-in-2g-scam-how-controversies-hit-karunanidhi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2018\/08\/08\/from-supporting-ltte-to-dmks-alleged-involvement-in-2g-scam-how-controversies-hit-karunanidhi\/","title":{"rendered":"From supporting LTTE to DMK’s alleged involvement in 2G Scam, how controversies hit Karunanidhi"},"content":{"rendered":"

Courtesy DNA<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n

While the Indian political class has mourned the death of\u00a0DMK President M Karunanidhi,<\/a>\u00a0there is a lot written about the political legacy that\u00a0comprisd<\/a>\u00a0eight decades.<\/h4>\n
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The\u00a0legacy<\/a>\u00a0that has seen some landmark moves have also been marred by controversy over the years.<\/p>\n

The 94-year-old leader breathed his last at the Kauvery Hospital in downtown Chennai at 6.10 pm on Tuesday after waging a grim battle for life for 11 days. He had not made any public appearance for about two years due to failing health.<\/p>\n

\"Karunanidhi<\/p>\n

\u00a0Karunanidhi and MK Stalin<\/i>\u00a0, PT<\/h4>\n

Here\u2019s a look at some of the controversies that he has been involved in<\/p>\n

Connections with LTTE<\/h3>\n

The Justice Jain Commission that oversaw the investigation into former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi\u2019s assassination indicated that Karunanidhi for abetting the LTTE. Although the DMK Chief was acquitted, he had later claimed in an interview that he was \u2018good friends\u2019 with LTTE Chief V Prabhakaran<\/p>\n

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2G Spectrum Scam<\/h3>\n

A report by the CAG of India revealed that 2G, or second generation licenses for mobile networks, were given at throwaway prices instead of carrying free and fair auctions. The then Telecom minister, A Raja, denied all charges and said that the decisions were made after then-apprising PM Manmohan Singh. A Raja was arrested in 2011 on charges of cheating, forgery and conspiracy. The primary allegation on A Raja was of allocating airwaves and licenses for cell phone networks in exchange for bribes. According to allegations put on DMK MP Kanimozhi, he had played a major role in facilitating the 217-crore bribe from Swan Telecom to Kalaingar TV, the propaganda arm of the DMK party.<\/p>\n

Statements on Lord Rama<\/h3>\n

Karunanidhi questioned the existence of the Lord Rama. He said, It is said that there was a God thousands of years ago called Rama. Do not touch the bridge built by him. I ask who is this Ram? Which engineering college did he graduate from?”<\/p>\n

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Sarkaria Commission<\/h3>\n

The Tamil Nadu government will file a case against former chief minister M Karunanidhi, based on Sarkaria Commission recommendations on the Veeranam scandal, Chief Minister J Jayalalitha had said.<\/p>\n