Nilgiris (TN): The multi-crore 2G scam seems to be a non-issue for the electorate in Nilgiri (SC) Lok Sabha constituency, where the scam tainted former Telecom Minister DMK's A Raja is bidding for a second term.
While the ruling AIADMK and BJP have been making the 2G scam against Raja their main poll plank in this hill station that attracts tourists throughout the year, the DMK leader and the party's Dalit face is interestingly using it to his own advantage in the April 24 polls.
Raja, on a gruelling campaign across the six Assembly segments of the constituency, which has a sizeable number of expatriate Tamils, narrates to voters that he has been made a victim for his efforts to revolutionise the telecom sector by ensuring that the benefits of communication are enjoyed even by the poor.
Raja had spent over 15 months in Tihar Jail following his arrest in the scam, that even put DMK chief M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi behind bars.
Making an emotional appeal to the electorate, he says, “I am optimistic that the judgement in the court of law will be in my favour.