Happy that you stand vindicated: Manmohan Singh to Raja

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh has broken his silence on the acquittal of A Raja in the 2G spectrum allocation case after the latter wrote to him, pointing out that he had never backed him "out of compulsions."

In response, the former prime minister expressed happiness at Raja being vindicated. "I am very happy that you stand vindicated. You and your family have suffered greatly in the process and we are greatly relieved that truth has prevailed," Singh wrote to Raja in a letter dated January 2.

Former telecom minister Raja had written on December 26 to the former PM following his acquittal, recalling that the former PM did not back him despite his past assurances that he had done nothing wrong and acted in the national interest and would prove it.

"I also understand the compulsions that prevented you from openly supporting me," Raja said, adding that Singh could support him openly now as he was acquitted,

Raja's letter stated that a few powerful people launched a propaganda machinery against the then UPA government and mislead Parliament and the judiciary in the 2G case.

"It cost you the UPA government and seven years of my life, including 15 months in jail," the former telecom minister said.

Raja recalled in his letter that he ensured that the former PM's image was not tarnished during the trial proceedings despite no backing from the government. "Unlike some senior Cabinet colleagues, I ensured that you did not suffer personal embarrassment in the trial proceedings. Now that the truth about the 2G case is out in the open, perhaps you too could come forward in my support," Raja said.

Raja has been miffed that no senior Congress leader chose to call or meet him after his acquittal in the 2G spectrum case by a Delhi court.

The Congress' adulation was focused on DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi, daughter of party patriarch M Karunanidhi.

Not only Congress chief Rahul Gandhi speak to her phone after the verdict, senior leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma visited her at home to convey their party's greetings.

A CBI court acquitted Raja and Kanimozhi in the 2G spectrum allocation case on December 21. CBI judge O P Saini had said he did not find any merit in the submission of prosecution that allocation of spectrum to telecom firms on "first come first serve" basis amounted to the abuse of power by A Raja."

The CBI has said it would appeal against the verdict in the higher court.