Will the 2G-iants come out of spectrum?

As the country waits for the verdict in the 2G spectrum case on Thursday, some crucial questions linger in the minds of people in Tamil Nadu. Will Kanimozhi continue as Rajya Sabha MP or fade in to political oblivion? Will A Raja contest in the 2019 Lok Sabha (LS) election or will the 2014 LS poll be his last for a while? Will the DMK offload the mammoth 2G baggage straining its back for long or carry the 2G blemish forever? The questions would be answered when special court judge O P Saini pronounces his verdict in the spectrum case, which could swing the political fortunes up north for many or end it for a few on Thursday.

As much as Raja and Kanimozhi would heave a sigh of relief if the verdict goes in their favour, the DMK would finally have something to stoutly defend itself in the 2G case, a case that has been hurting them electorally since the 2011 Assembly election. Raja would stand vindicated, and so would his decision to pursue first come first serve policy. Failing which, his leader Karunanidhi’s Dalit-victim card would evaporate.

Should the verdict go against the DMK, and that too if it comes out before noon, the DMK could suffer another election due to 2G. Voters of RK Nagar would be queuing up outside the booths just about the same time special court judge OP Saini spells his verdict. Surprisingly, the DMK might not have any major electoral setback (other than the bye poll) even if the verdict goes against its wish, for the party does not have any major poll to face in the immediate future, at least for another year and a half when the next Lok Sabha election would be due, unless the fluid political situation in Tamil Nadu worsens, leading to another Assembly election in the coming weeks.

Anything less than acquittal for both Kanimozhi and Raja could leave work cut out for spokesperson of Stalin’s DMK would have to play Devil’s advocate, as they did in the last three major elections in the era of Karunanidhi. Not to mention, the DMK of Stalin would have to endure criticism for a scam that had happened in the reign of M Karunanidhi in the event of Saini sending Raja and Kanimozhi to Tihar Jail again. Personally, Stalin would have nothing to lose even in the event of an unfavourable verdict for the party, given that he has kept himself at a safe distance away from the case.