DMK bid to keep distance from Raja

According to a DMK source,it is fast becoming untenable for the party to back Raja as it had done so far,because of the raids and other recent developments including the fact that his name figures in a case pertaining to an attempt to influence a judge of the Madras High Court. The move to remove Raja from the party post has the backing of a section of the senior leadership and a few from the family,sources added.

Officially,however,the party has maintained its support for Raja. He is our party member. He is our party MP. We will stand by him. Let the CBI do its duty,let them come out with their findings; we will see, T K S Elangovan,the official spokesperson and headquarters secretary of the DMK in New Delhi,said on Wednesday.

His colleague,Vasanthi Stanley,told reporters outside Parliament that the raids proved that the Centre had not restricted the inquiries by the CBI as alleged by the Opposition. To a question whether the party still supports Raja,she replied: Why not? He is with us.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said: If found guilty,we will take action against him. Till then I cannot comment.