Raids on Kalaignar TV wont impact ties with DMK: Cong

What CBI is doing is a different matter.

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While the DMK top brass on Friday maintained silence on raids by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Kalaignar TV,owned by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi family,in connection with its investigation into 2G spectrum scam,the Congress maintained that it would have no bearing on their alliance.

What CBI is doing is a different matter. It has no effect on the alliance. These are two different issues. Our alliance with DMK is a political alliance. Our ties with DMK are strong and we hope to win 2011 Assembly elections, said Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed.

Congress sources said that party leaders,who are members of the 10-member coordination committee set up to decide the modalities of seat-sharing,have already left for Chennai to hold discussions with the DMK leadership on seat-sharing arrangements.

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There was unease in the DMK camp though. Contacted by The Indian Express for the partys reaction to CBI raids,senior DMK leader TR Baalu refused to comment,while spokesman T K S Elangovan said there was no official reaction.

Rajya Sabha MP and Karunanidhis daughter Kanimozhi said she was not aware of the raids on Kalaignar TV.

These raids are set to give further ammunition to AIADMK supremo Jayalalitha who has been attacking the DMK on the issue of the alleged involvement of former Telecom Minister A Raja in the 2G spectrum allocation.

Congress sources said the DMK is in no position to break the alliance. They need this alliance to win the next Assembly election. The DMK cannot even afford to think of destabilizing the boat at the Centre given the prospects of being out of power both in New Delhi and Chennai, said a senior Congress leader.