On Sunday, Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi rubbished his political rival J Jayalalithaa’s claim that corporate lobbyist Niira Radia had carried a personal letter to him from Tata Sons’ chairman Ratan Tata that praised former minister A Raja’s telecom policies. Writing in party mouthpiece, Murasoli, Karunanidhi also denied having received any letter from Tata or that anyone had met him with any such letter.
Governance Now has accessed the letter which not only establishes that Tata did write to him, but also that he praised Raja’s telecom policies, including those relating to 2G spectrum allocation and sent Radia to Karunanidhi way back in 2007 for furthering his own business interests.
The letter, written on November 13, 2007 in Tata’s handwriting, says ever since Raja took over the telecom ministry, there has been “a rational, fair and action-oriented leadership in the ministry”. On the spectrum policy, Tata writes: “On the issue of spectrum also his (Raja’s) stated policies, for most part, have been legally sound, rational and well reasoned.”
The letter says he is sending Radia to deliver it and explain the finer points of the telecom policies to him. Having praised Raja’s spectrum policy, Karunanidhi’s vision and leadership and the glory that awaits him, he writes: “I have therefore requested Ms Nira Radia to personally carry this letter to you and to explain to you the public perceptions, the orchestrated misinformation and the vested interests that are seeking to de-rail the process of growth through technological and spectrum battles, rather than seeking national gain.”
Jayalalithaa may not be far off the mark when she demanded that the CBI should question Karunanidhi and his family members who had maintained close contact with Radia to know the full truth behind the spectrum scam.
Here we reproduce the letter (see also the scanned copy in the attachment).
Ratan Tata’s letter to Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi:
Personal and Confidential
Bombay House, Fort, Mumbai-400001
November 13, 2007
Dear Mr Chief Minister,
I am taking the liberty of writing to you on the subject of the telecommunications sector which has been in the news these past few weeks and where there has been much public controversy – mainly created by powerful vested interest groups within the industry.
Ever since Mr Raja took over as Minister, there has been a rational, fair and action-oriented leadership in the ministry. On the issue of spectrum also his stated policies, for most part, have been legally sound, rational and well reasoned. Part of the existing controversy revolves around one approval, which is being contested in the courts, in all other cases his stated policies appear fair and deserves everyone’s support.
The telecom industry is the fastest-growing sector in the country’s history and the leadership to this sector is with your party. It is essential that history praises the vision, creativity and high growth achieved by you and your minister. Our industry is in the viewing glass of the entire world, because our market is so large. If done well, the DMK can, possibly claim telecom to be its greatest achievement and (unreadable) significant contributions to the nation’s growth. This growth would need to come from rational and fair policies – without favorites and without pandering to vested interest groups who are only interested in serving themselves.
I have the highest regard and respect for you as a person of great (unreadable) and great vision. I would like to see you derive great kudos for the visionary growth in this sector, which I believe can be delivered under your leadership by Mr Raja. I have therefore requested Ms Nira Radia to personally carry this letter to you and to explain to you the public perceptions, the orchestrated misinformation and the vested interests that are seeking to de-rail the process of growth through technological and spectrum battles, rather than seeking national gain.
I hope you will take this letter in the spirit in which it has been written.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
Ratan
