 "2G spectrum scam judgment: A look at key political reactions to the acquittal of A Raja, Kanimozhi")
All hell broke loose in the Indian political circles after a special court on Thursday acquitted former telecom minister A Raja and DMK MP Kanimozhi in the 2G spectrum scam case. Sixteen other accused and three companies were also acquitted in the case. Here are the prominent political reactions: Kanimozhi (DMK): I would love to thank everyone who stood by me…I think justice has prevailed. Finally, our innocence has been proved. I’m sure this will enthuse the DMK cadre.
I would love to thank everyone who stood by me: Kanimozhi, Rajya Sabha MP #2GScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/3plOl0RlLE
— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017
A Raja (DMK): We welcome the verdict. We are very happy with the court’s decision.
We welcome the verdict. We are very happy with court's decision: A Raja #UPAAcquittedIn2G #LIVE: https://t.co/KZ7I913fi5 pic.twitter.com/7yOHlGlf0H
— News18 (@CNNnews18) December 21, 2017
Manmohan Singh (former prime minister): I don’t want to boast about anything. I think the court’s judgment has to be respected. The judgment speaks for itself. This was false propaganda against the UPA. Kapil Sibal (Congress): My position and my prime minister (Singh)’s position has been vindicated. It was a scam by Vinod Rai. Even the online trolls should apologise because they still hurl insults at me. If you create an atmosphere of suspicion and that everything which the UPA did was wrong, you will have positions like this. The telecom sector today is in dire straits because of Rai. It is most unfortunate that the country had to go through this.
Aaj meri baat siddh ho gayi, koi corruption nahi, koi loss nahi. Agar scam hai to jhooth ka scam hai, vipaksh aur Vinod Rai ke jhooth ka. Vinod Rai ko desh ke saamne maafi maangni chahiye: Kapil Sibal,Congress #2Gverdict pic.twitter.com/nHTCTyiziC
— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017
P Chidambaram (Congress): Allegations of a major scam involving the highest levels of government were never true and never correct. And that has been established.
Allegation of a major scam involving the highest levels of Government was never true, was not correct and that has been established today: P Chidambaram,Congress #2GScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/bfVgL14ES9
— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017
Subramanian Swamy (BJP):
Govt must prove its bonafides by filing an immediate appeal in High Court
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) December 21, 2017
Congis and Allies celebrated JJ HC acquittal. Then in SC got deflated. Same will be here.
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) December 21, 2017
Shashi Tharoor (Congress): We accept the court verdict acquitting all in the case. Clearly, the court found that innocent people have been wronged. Justice has worked as it is supposed to work. In our country, justice is the responsibility of the courts.
Clearly the Court found that innocent people have been wronged. Justice has worked as it is supposed to work in our country: Shashi Tharoor, Congress #2GScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/MK8IEYHVuV
— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017
Milind Deora (Congress):
As a former minister for Telecom & IT, I refused to pass judgement on the 2G ‘scam’. I wish CAG & the press had done the same, that the special court delivered justice sooner & that CBI & other agencies are held accountable for serious acts of omission
— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा (@milinddeora) December 21, 2017
I continue to believe that a government’s priority needn’t be revenue maximisation. Don’t forget, spectrum & coal auctions have put a tremendous strain on PSU banks. Teledensity & affordable power for all are far more prudent policy priorities
— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा (@milinddeora) December 21, 2017
The CAG report allowed BJP to mislead the nation & play the role of a highly irresponsible opposition. This won them an election, but hurt India’s competitiveness & straddled banks with ₹4 lakh crore of debt resulting from license cancellations & auctions
— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा (@milinddeora) December 21, 2017
Manu Sundaram (DMK): All the accused cooperated. This is one of the fastest trials in recent history. In comparison, Jayalalithaa’s trial took 18 years. This verdict doesn’t come as a surprise because our party always believed this. TKS Elangovan (DMK): This proves that the CAG’s case was politically motivated. Durai Murugan (DMK):
Victory begins now. With political motives this case was put in us. Conspiracies were hatched against us but all have been blown away now: Durai Murugan, Senior DMK Leader pic.twitter.com/UfWzwmIO5y
— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017
Anna Hazare (social activist):
If the Government has concrete evidence, then they should take the matter to a higher court: Anna Hazare #2GScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/wkTmT9JJm3
— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017
Arun Jaitley (BJP): “This was a corrupt policy intended to support corruption. There is nothing in this (judgment) which Congress should consider as some kind of certificate. Congress party leaders are treating this judgment as some kind of badge of honour and a certification that the 2G policy was an honest policy. In 2007 and 2008, (telecom) spectrum was being given not by an auction, not by a market mechanism, but on the basis of a price discovery that was made in 2001. Per licensee, the spectrum value was placed at Rs 1,734 crore. The first-come-first-serve policy was intended to serve only a select few. On the basis of all this, in February 2012, the Supreme Court quashed this policy. That this was a corrupt, dishonest policy has already been upheld by the Supreme Court. Each and every case of spectrum allocation was quashed by the Supreme Court as arbitrary and unfair. The government was directed to have a fresh policy by which the auction would take place.
Congress leaders are treating this judgement as some kind of a badge of honor & a certification that it was an honest policy: Arun Jaitley #2GScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/Y6fWNXVW5t
— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017
Ashutosh (Aam Aadmi Party):
"2G Scam acquittal has shaken the very foundation of our justice system.
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) December 21, 2017
BJP Govt owes an explanation why CBI could not collect prosecutable evidences ? Has BJP govt colluded with accused ?
BJP should tell to the nations about the DEAL"- @ashutosh83B #2GScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/jaV69XUwhr
