Jayalalithaa on Raja's bail: 2G case getting diluted

As former telecom minister A Raja secured bail in the 2G spectrum case, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Tuesday said the case appeared to be getting "diluted".

"I am hearing from you only now. It definitely looks as though it (the 2G case) is getting diluted," she said.

Jayalalithaa was replying to a question from reporters on a Delhi court granting bail to Raja, the prime accused in the case, 15 months after he was sent to jail.

Asked about the Aircel-Maxis issue, she said Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy had to substantiate his allegations and (Union Home Minister) P Chidambaram to defend himself. The Supreme Court was the only hope on the matter, she said.

The government had on Monday denied in Parliament any wrongdoing by Chidambaram in the grant of FIPB clearance for the Aircel-Maxis deal in 2006 when he was the finance minister, after Opposition sought to corner him with fresh charges.

Meanwhile, in Udhagamandalam, the seat from where Raja was elected to the Lok Sabha, local people, including DMK workers, celebrated the court order by bursting crackers.

DMK workers distributed sweets in bus stands and other public places in the tourist town. Party workers expressed confidence that Raja would visit the people of his constituency.