In a major development that could have a huge impact on the political equations at the centre, Kanimozhi, the daughter of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M Karunanidhi, was on Monday named a co-conspirator in the 2G spectrum scam.

In the 2G scam, the supplementary charge sheet filed on Monday alleged

that Kanimozhi, a member of Parliamant, acted in concert with former

telecom minister A Raja as a conduit to transfer a Rs 214-crore kickback

to Kalaignar TV, in which she has a 20 per cent stake. The managing

director of the company, Sharath Kumar, who holds a 20 per cent stake,

has also been named.

The scam involves irregularities in award of telecom licences and

spectrum in 2008.

Interestingly, Dayalu Ammal, Karunanidhi’s second wife, who holds 60 per

cent in Kalaignar TV, has not been named. CBI said she did not sign any

document related to the deals of Kalaignar TV and was not involved in

the channel’s day-to-day functioning.

CBI alleged the money travelled from a company called Swam Telecom via a “circuitous route” through Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd, a DB

group company, and Cineyug Films Pvt Ltd. DB Realty promoter Shahid

Balwa, also the promoter of Swan, is already in jail. He is charged with

getting telecom licences and spectrum by paying money to Kalaignar TV.

Those chargesheeted also include Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal of

Kusegaon Fruits & Vegetables, and Karim Morani of Cineyug. Asif is Swan

promoter Shahid Balwa’s cousin. Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal are already

in judicial custody. Morani is the promoter of Cineyug Films and was a

signatory to all the agreements and bank instruments in respect of the

aforesaid transactions.

While Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal have been summoned to the CBI special court tomorrow, Karim Morani, Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar have been

called on May 6.

CBI also slapped additional charges against Raja, Shahid Balwa and Vinod

Goenka for receiving illegal gratification and bribery.

The charge sheet also said that Kalaignar TV started to refund the money

right after Raja was called for questioning. “A substantial part of the

amount was refunded by it just before and after February 2, when accused

Raja was arrested by CBI in this case,” the charge sheet said.

All eyes are now on Karunanidhi. DMK, with 18 MPs, is an ally of the

United Progressive Alliance. Six of its MPs are ministers at the Centre.

While Congress sources ruled out any danger to the government, saying

DMK’s enlightened self-interest would prevail, they also said that with

Dayalu Ammal, Kanimozhi’s stepmother, not named, Kanimozhi would be

isolated within the DMK family.

DMK has convened a high-level meeting on Wednesday to decide its course of action.

DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan said despite submitting proof for the Rs 200 crore loan and its repayment, CBI interrogated Kanimozhi, Dayalu

Ammal and Sharad Kumar.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has 234 seats. DMK has contested just 118.

Unless it wins all the seats, which is unlikely, it will need the

Congress if it is to take a shot at forming a government in Chennai.

This is why it is loath to precipitate matters by taking steps like

pulling ministers out of the government. If DMK loses, there is all the

more reason for it to keep its ministers in the government. “I don’t

think DMK will take any step before the results are out. If it has to

form a government in Tamil Nadu, it will certainly require our help and

Karunanidhi knows this,” said a senior Congress minister.

Top Congress leaders said neither the party nor the government could

intervene in a matter that was being monitored by the Supreme Court and

this had been communicated to Karunanidhi. They also said the Congress

would put no pressure on DMK. However, If DMK acted emotionally, it was another matter and the Congress would have to review its options, they