Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy on Monday made a second charge against Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi, unfazed by the latter's threat of a defamation suit against him for his accusations on the 2G scam.
Swamy sought Tamil Nadu governor Surjit Singh Barnala's permission to prosecute Karunanidhi for the chief minister's alleged misuse of office in allotting residential properties to "ineligible and influential" people.
Swamy gave the precedent of Karnataka governor HR Bhardwaj permitting the prosecution of CM BS Yeddyurappa for the latter's alleged favouritism as regards land allotment.
Speaking to press persons after submitting a memorandum complete with "proof of the irregularities" in the allotment of land under the CM's discretionary quota, Swamy said rules were flouted and the actions of Karunanidhi amounted to "corrupt practices".
"The governor of Karnataka did not waste any time in sanctioning prosecution of the chief minister there. Likewise, I hope governor Barnala too would promptly give sanction to prosecute Karunanidhi," Swamy said, adding he would move court if the sanction did not come within the prescribed three months.
"For Karunanidhi's prosecution in the 2G spectrum scam, I do not need any permission as it was a private arrangement between former telecom minister A Raja and the chief minister," Swamy said and dismissed the legal notice sent by Karunanidhi as one that "betrayed a gross ignorance of the law of defamation". He said, on the contrary, Karunanidhi committed a contempt of the Special Court at Tis Hazari Delhi by issuing me a notice.
{{/usCountry}}"For Karunanidhi's prosecution in the 2G spectrum scam, I do not need any permission as it was a private arrangement between former telecom minister A Raja and the chief minister," Swamy said and dismissed the legal notice sent by Karunanidhi as one that "betrayed a gross ignorance of the law of defamation". He said, on the contrary, Karunanidhi committed a contempt of the Special Court at Tis Hazari Delhi by issuing me a notice.
{{/usCountry}}Swamy maintained a distinction between the two cases because one involved Karunanidhi's action as chief minister and the other did not.
Swamy, who had sought an interview with the governor, could not meet him because "he was unwell. I submitted the memorandum to an official of the governor …," he said.