Spectrum scam blown out of proportion,says Karuna

"Only the channel, Kalaignar TV, is named after me but I have no rights in it.My daughter (Kanimozhi) and wife (Dayalu) hold 20 and 60 per cent respectively, besides (its CEO) Sharad Kumar having 20 per cent. Kalaignar TV is not owned by Karunanidhi," he told CNN-IBN television channel.

These two members of his family were share-holders in the company,he said. Responding to queries on CBI questioning his wife and daughter as part of its probe into the spectrum scam money trail, the 87 year-old leader said Kumar had already given a detailed clarification, denying links between accused Shahid Usman Balwa-promoted Swan Telecom and the channel.

Holding that the Income Tax department had been kept informed about the loan transactions between Kalaignar TV and Cineyug Films Private Ltd in 2009, Karunanidhi wondered "'how can this be a scam."

Senior DMK leader and former Telecom Minister A Raja is in judicial custody in connection with the scam. Asked if the scam had brought disrepute to DMK, Karunanidhi said some politicians were "blowing it out of proportion,"' and did not elaborate "as the issue is sub-judice."

The Supreme Court is monitoring a CBI probe into the matter. To a question on the post-poll scenario and if his party would go in for coalition rule, Karunanidhi said if the 'voting pattern' changed and there was a situation wherein only such a rule was possible, "we will then discuss it with other parties and decide."

The Congess, DMK's key ally, is learnt to have made a pitch for power-sharing in the event of DMK-led alliance coming back to power. Asked if there was a "question mark" over his son and Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin being his political heir apparent, Karunanidhi said Stalin had grown through the ranks under him like he did under his mentor and DMK founder, C N Annadurai.

"The party seniors, general council members and others who have confidence in me, also have it on Stalin. Therefore, there is no justification in that becoming a question mark," he said.