Its not over Mr. Chidambaram!!!

Unlike the Shakespearean play, ‘All is well, that ends well’  it appears it won’t end well for Chidambaram.    The Special Court hearing the 2G plea could have given Chidambaram a new confidence when it dismissed Subramanian Swamy’s plea to add Chiddu as co - accused along with A.Raja in the 2G scam. Whispers doing rounds in the Delhi's North block is that Swamy's camp is already involved in finding out the "Chidambara Ragasiyam" - "Secrets of Chidambaram".

Special Court Judge, O.P.Saini, in his order said, “In the end, Mr. P. Chidambaram was party to only two decisions,  that is, keeping the spectrum prices at 2001 level and dilution of equity by the two companies. These two acts are not per se criminal. In the absence of any other incriminating act on his part, it cannot be said that he was prima facie party to the criminal conspiracy. There is no evidence on record that he was acting in pursuit to the criminal conspiracy, while being party to the two decisions regarding non-revision of the spectrum pricing and dilution of equity by the two companies.”

According to legal circles, there is every possibility that this judgment gets reversed in higher courts exactly like Chiddu’s fortunes. It is true that Subramanian Swamy did not have enough evidence against Chidambaram except for a few documents which he got from the North block and on court's direction. In the name of exposing Chidambaram, Subramanian Swamy was busy in blowing his own trumpet instead of putting up a water tight case against Chidambaram. 

Whispers doing rounds in New Delhi circles is that, Swamy's camp is now probing another angle of Chidu's involvement in the 2G scam.  It was during Dayanidhi Maran's tenure. According to CBI’s FIR against the Dayanidhi Maran, “On December 26, 2005, Aircel was taken over by Global Communications, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Maxis Communications, and Deccan Digital Network, a joint venture company formed between Sindya Securities and Global Communications.”

Aircel, a firm started by Sivasankaran, is a joint venture between Maxis Communications Berhad of Malaysia and Sindya Securities & Investments Private Limited, whose shareholders are the Reddy family of Chennai, with Maxis Communications holding a majority stake of 74% according to its website.

Suneeta Reddy

Apollo Hospital’s promoter Pradhap Reddy had clarified at the time of registration of CBI’s FIR that Sindya Securities and Investments Pvt Ltd are promoted by P Dwarakanath Reddy and Suneeta Reddy have investments in Aircel entity and this is a strategic investment in telecom sector, which was a growing business opportunity. Suneeta Reddy is the daughter of Pradhap Reddy. Why would a popular hospital make investments in telecom sector which they claim as ‘a growing business opportunity’  is the question lingering in the minds of many business brains? So far neither Reddy nor anyone has answered this question. 

The buzz in business circles and medical circles is that the investment in Aircel by Apollo is a ‘quid pro quo’.  Srinithi Chidambaram, who is married to Chiddu’s son Karthick Chidambaram is working as a physician in Apollo Hospitals.  Grapevine has it that, Chiddu was allotted shares of Apollo Hospitals from the promoters quota in the name of his daughter in law – Srinithi and in turn Chiddu allotted his share in the pie – Aircel to the ‘Reddys’.  

Whispers doing rounds in CBI circles is that, at the time when CBI raids were conducted at the residences of Dayanidhi and Kalanidhi Maran, a team of officials were present at Suneeta Reddy's residence in the posh locality of Nungambakkam. But neither there was any official confirmation from the CBI nor the Apollo hospitals. CBI insiders say a team of officials have gone there to ensure Srinithi Chidambaram's angle is never taken into consideration. 

Whispers doing rounds in TN Political circles is that The Mighty Marans who are aware of this dealing has made it clear that if the CBI moves an inch against them... it would hit Chidambaram.    This is the mystery behind the CBI’s reluctance in proceeding against the KD brothers.

The strong connection between Chiddu and Apollo and vice-versa could be seen from the decision of Apollo Hospital management to open a 110 bed hospital in Karaikudi, a sleepy town in Tamil Nadu, which is also the home town of P Chidambaram. Whispers doing rounds in medical circles say that the project was announced after Chiddu’s daughter-in-law was allotted with shares in Apollo Hospitals in 2009.

The Karaikudi Apollo Hospital was opened by none other than Manmohan Singh on 27 December 2011 in the presence of Chiddu. Why should the Prime Minister of a country spend his time to open a hospital in a sleepy town? CHIDDU.

Illustration : Tehelka

While the KD brothers received crores of rupees from Ananthakrishnan as a quid pro quo for arm twisting Sivasankaran – promoter of Aircel, sources say Chidambaram was allotted shares in his daughter-in-law Srinithi’s name as a quid pro quo for turning a Nelson’s eye to a gross violation.  According to the then existing norms, Foreign Direct Investment is not permitted in telecom sector beyond 74%.   However, Maxis in a filing with the Malaysian stock exchange, Bursa Malaysia, in March 2006 said it had an economic interest of 99.3% in Aircel, compared with its direct and indirect equity stake of 74%.

Whispers doing rounds in Delhi circles is that, an RSS think-tank is meticulously researching about ‘insider trading’ by Chiddu’s son Karthick Chidambaram when Chiddu was finance minister.  Research is also being conducted into the interest of Chiddu’s son Karthick Chidambaram into the astonishing growth of ‘Vasan Eye Care’, a chain of hospitals in a short span. P.Chidambaram has always been closely associated with Vasan Eye Care.   It was Chidambaram who inaugurated Vasan Eye Care’s 25^th Hospital and 100^th Hospital, which happens to be at Chiddu’s home town – Karaikudi.   The Vasan group of hospital, which entered into  Chennai in 2008, now has 15 branches in Chennai alone. 

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who has an old score to settle with Chiddu for bugging his office has gathered enough dirt on Chiddu, say sources.

As of now, the breather given by Special Judge O.P.Saini, appear to be temporary. 

Tamil Nadu to get a new Public Prosecutor?

Whispers doing the rounds is that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalitha is all set to appoint a new Public Prosecutor for the State in the place of I.Subramaniam, who is the Public Prosecutor now.   Insiders in Poes Garden say that Amma has received numerous complaints not only against P.P.I.Subramaiam, but also against the present Advocate General Navaneetha Krishnan.    

A state’s public prosecutor is the head of a government’s legal wing as far as criminal matter’s are concerned.   So changing the public prosecutor means that Amma is not satisfied with the performance of the present incumbent.    But who is the lucky winner ?   Whispers doing rounds in the legal circle is that N.Chandrasekaran, who is representing the CBI in the Madras High Court.

Well it’s a lesser known secret…but people close to Chandrasekaran say that he is powerful than the CBI Director…he claims Home Minister P.Chidambaram to be his God  Father  and he is one among the few people who knows all the secrets of Home Minsiter P.Chidambaram.   Sources close to Chandrasekaran say that Chidambaram would talk to Chandrasekaran through the mobile phones of his juniors.

But now his appointment as PP is not mere luck, but is a reward for his loyalty. As Amma is very annoyed about the performance of her legal team and this has naturally resulted as a jackpot for Chandrasekaran…this is the latest buzz in the legal circles.

But how do CBI circles view this appointment ?   Sources in the CBI circles are delighted by the news that is doing rounds  that Chadrasekaran is likely to be appointed as Public Prosecutor.  Their delight is due to the fact that the CBI would get a new face (can be read as lesser manipulative) to represent them in High Court. 

The reason for the delight of CBI is that Chandrasekaran had actually let down the  premire investigative agency on many occassions.    The failure of the CBI to nab the accused and grill them in the ‘Lakshmi Narayana Medical College’ owned by DMK MP and Union Minister Jegatharatchagan has got a lot to with Chandrasekaran legal skills.   Investigations into the TIMES NOW sting operation… which resulted in two touts of the Sri Ramacandra Medical College and Balaji Dental College getting caught on camera for receiving bribe for admission…is yet to see the light of the day. While Ramachandra’s representative was interrogated by CBI, the representative of Balaji Dental College belonging to Union Minister Jegathratchagan managed to wriggle out of the CBI’s case, thanks to Chandrasekaran’s links with the then Suburban commissioner S.R.Jangid.

CBI Director A P Singh

Sources in the CBI say Chandrasrekaran is also accused of playing a crucial role in misleading the CBI and  passing on crucial information to R.Dhanapal Raj, the former Vice-Chairman of Bar Council of Tamil Nadu, who was caught along with the BCI member R.S.Rana in a graft case.

However, legal sources say the administration in the CBI is taking serious steps to get rid of Chandrasekaran as its counsel following the serious setback the CBI received in a murder case of the son of a popular advocate.  The investigation of the case, which is being monitored by the Madras High Court went to the extent of summoning the CBI, Director,  for which Chandrasekaran never made any objection and the timely intervention of  Additional Advocate General seems to have saved the CBI.

A.Raja to be ditched by DMK?

The Game is over Mr. Raja

Sources tell Whispers in Tamil Nadu that the DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi is all set to ditch A.Raja, the blue eyed boy of the DMK.   Whispers in Tamil Nadu had earlier reported about Karunanidhi’s displeasure with A.Raja as he is using his daughter Kanimozhi, as a shield to protect him in the 2G scam case.

During Karuna’s recent visit to Delhi… it was categorically conveyed to by top congress honchos that the Congress leadership is not taking Raja’s defense in the 2G case lightly.  Displeasure over A Raja’s argument to call PM and Finance Minister as witnesses was already conveyed to M Karunanidhi…DMK sources say it was V Narayanswami who conveyed this message to Karunanidhi after Kanimozhi’s advocate toed A Raja’s line of argument during the course of trial. Sensing danger the DMK Chief immediately asked to change Kanimozhi’s lawyer…and pleaded neither Kanimozhi nor anyone in the party had any idea on this particular argument made by A Raja’s counsel Sushil Kumar, who was also the counsel for Kanimozhi.  

But A Raja has been repeatedly making allegations against the Prime Minister and Finance Minister P.Chidambaram seems to have angered the Congress leadership.   The game-plan of A.Raja in the 2G case would ultimately result in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh being called as a witness during the course of the trial.    Manmohan Singh would be forced to defend Raja’s cross examination and justify that A.Raja had misled him in taking decisions in the spectrum allocation and pricing. Further the petition of Dr.Subramanian Swamy to include Sonia’s loyalist P.Chidambaram as a co-accused in the 2G scam is also causing embarrassment not only to the party but also to the government at a time when the issue of corruption is making headlines in the country.   

Sources say when Karuna met P.Chidambaram and Law Minister Salman Kurshid it was communicated to Karunanidhi and he was asked to reign in on A.Raja and instruct him accordingly not to drag PM and FM in 2G arguments.   When Karunanidhi met A.Raja in Tihar prison last week sources say Karuna had instructed A.Raja not to target the congress leaders and to go soft.  Karuna had also informed A.Raja that any move that would embarrass congress would only result in more trouble for Kanimozhi and spending more time in jail.  But A.Raja had reportedly snubbed DMK chief, saying that he is a lawyer himself and knows what to do and informed Karunanidhi that only by dragging PM and FM in the case there will be any relief either for him or Kanimozhi.

The 87 year-old Karunanidhi, was taken aback by A Raja’s reaction…Karuna cut-short the meeting abruptly and returned, say DMK insiders.    Raja’s obstinate game-plan in the 2G trial has irritated Karunanidhi and Whispers doing rounds in the DMK is that…after once Kanimozhi is out on bail, DMK leaders and party men will be instructed to stay away from A.Raja,.   After orders are pronounced on November 3 O P Saini on Kani’s bail plea…Karunanidhi is all set to take a final call on Raja.

Amma’s double whammy…..!!!

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has given a double whammy to her detractors by making a last ditch effort to avoid personal appearance in the 66 crore wealth case against her in the Bengaluru Special Court.  Earlier in September, Jayalalitha had made an application before the Apex court in which she cited security concerns for exempting her from appearing in the special court.  The court had directed the Karnataka government to make adequate security arrangements and sought Jayalalitha’s convenient date for appearance for which she chose October 20…a day after the local body elections. Sources say the election date was decided by the State Election Commission keeping Jaya’s wealth case in mind.

Jayalalitha’s volte face to postpone her appearance has raised many eyebrows in legal circles.  The trial against her has reached a crucial stage and repeatedly filing petition after petition in the courts may hamper her case and would leave her out of options.   However Amma was persistent and filed yet another petition in the Supreme Court for postponement of her appearance as the Karnataka government has failed to provide the details of security arranged for her appearance.  She has also adopted a ground in her petition that since she is under NSG cover, the NSG guards have to be informed well in advance about the arrangements made and they have to visit the location beforehand.

Whispers doing rounds is that…Jayalalitha’s sudden change of heart to refrain from appearing may have something to do with the arrest of former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S.Yedyurappa.  An arrest warrant was issued against him based on charges of corruption and to evade arrest, Yeddy surrendered before the court amidst high drama… Former Chief MInister B.S.Yedyurappa and his former minister's Reddy Brothers are in the Parappana Agrahara (Central Prison) in Bengaluru.

Ironically Justice Mallikarjunaiah has also chosen the same Parappana Agrahara as the venue for Jayalalitha to appear on the 20^th of October.  When the Supreme Court directed the Bengaluru Special Court to make adequate arrangements for Amma’s security, the Judge directed the Karnataka police to come up with suggestions. The Bengaluru Commissioner of Police suggested the Judicial Academy, Balabrooie Guest House, Jakkkur Flying School and the Special Court inside the Parappana Agrahara (Central Prison).

Though Jayalalitha’s counsel opted for the Flying school as a favorable venue, the Judge chose Parappana Agrahara.  If Jayalalitha makes her appearance on October 20 in Bengaluru, technically she will be entering the same prison where former Karnataka Chief Minister landed last week.  Yeddy and Reddy as an accused in judicial custody and Jaya as an accused facing trial, but both on corruption charges…this will be the perfect timing for the DMK to dent Jaya’s image.

Parappana Agrahara (Central Prison)

As the DMK is ready with its game plan as Jayalilathaa was expected to make personal appearance…a desperate Jayalilathaa is making a final attempt to evade yet another embarrassment at a time when the issue of corruption is rocking the country…However the Cavuery issue which was in the back burner came handy for the Queen Bee…

Jayalilathaa immediately shot off a letter to Prime Minister demanding the final Tribunal order should be published in the gazette as required under section 6(1) of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956. The timing of the letter has raised many eyebrows as the Cauvery issue was in the back burner for quite some time owing to the adequate monsoon rains and political reasons.

Why Jayalilathaa wanted to rake up this issue? The reason is quite simple …Cauvery issue has always been a volcanic issue between the two neighboring states…  Any order favoring Tamil Nadu would quickly trigger law and order situation in Karnataka as linguistic chauvinists in Karnataka will oppose it for political mileage. After putting things into place…a desperate Jaya once again approached the Supreme Court seeking expemtion from personal appearance due to security reasons.

Well there is every possibility that the Apex court may defer the date of appearance from October 20^th to some other date till adequate security arrangements are made.

Sources say Jayalilathaa has decided to take up the Cavuery issue seriously with the Center…so that Kannada chauvinistic forces may vehemently oppose her entry into the State. Since it’s a matter of State’s interest including the DMK all other political parties will left with no other option except to back Jayalilathaa…While all this is happening whispers doing rounds is that Jayalilathaa’s plan is to again approach the Supreme Court to shift the Bengaluru Court to Tamil Nadu for making her personal appearance citing the volatile situation in Karnataka.

Sensing Jayalilathaa’s larger game plan the DMK Chief Karunanidhi was quick to react to Jayalalitha’s move on Cauvery stating that Jayalalitha’s only wish is to get adjournment and that is why she is raking up the Cauvery issue.

Sources in the Central Government say it is for the NSG to object to paucity of time to inspect the place of Jaya’s visit. But the DMK is also likely to take up this issue with the Home Minister who controls NSG to expose Jayalilathaa’s desperate “drama”. An interesting point to be noted is that Home Minister P Chidambarm is Jaya’s yet another arch rival.  During her first visit to Delhi after assuming charge as the Chief Minister…Jayalilathaa demanded P Chidambaram’s resignation saying he fudged 2009 election results. Also when the issue of internal bickering between two senior ministers of the UPA was out in open…Jayalilathaa once again demanded his resignation…Chidambaram's loyalists in the State are accusing Jaya of indirectly targeting their leader once again.

With DMK making serious efforts to raise from the rubble and making full fledged preparations to gain maximum political mileage out of Jaya’s appearance in court on charges of corruption, as the issue of corruption is hotly debated all over the country, Amma is desperate for a temporary reprieve.

Whether Amma’s double whammy would yield results and get her a reprieve from Supreme Court would be known today. While on one hand Jaya is trying her luck...on the other elaborate arrangements have been made in Chennai for Jayalilathaa's visit to Bengaluru...