PMO is not giving for Sun TV nod

New Delhi: Two top and powerful ministers in the Modi government have locked horns over the security clerance of Sun TV promoted by the Marans. While the I&B ministry reportedly favour the channel the home ministry is against giving the required security clearance to the network following pending cases against Kalanithi Maran and former union minister, Dayanidhi Maran..A security clearance is required to run the channel. 

 

It was learnt that after the home ministry denied clearance the channel approached the I&B ministry which was apparently in favour of granting permission, sources said. As the ministers and ministries lock horn over the issue, speculation is rife that even the PMO was not too keen to rush through the clearance.

 

Sources in BJP feel local politics in Tamil Nadu could be influencing the developments in the Sun TV case. While both the government and the BJP leaders deny such “insinuations” some feel that the ruling government could be looking at its own “political interest” before taking any “hasty step.” 

 

On Monday, however, reports emanated from the home ministry that a final decision on the matter relating to 33 channels of Kalanithi Maran-promoted Sun TV network will be taken “collectively”. A government official said “There may be a difference of approach, which is alright in a democracy, but the final decision on the matter would only be taken collectively.” 

 

It may be recalled that earlier the Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said that security clearance can be granted as agencies are probing cases related to corruption and not security.  However, the MHA has been sticking to the stand that even financial or money laundering charges are serious enough to deny security clearance.

 

Reports from Mumbai on Monday indicated that Sun TV Network Ltd fell as much as 5.52% in intra-day trade. The stock has been falling for six consecutive days.

 

At the national level, the present government, which is under fire from various fronts ranging from Lalit Modi saga, Madhya Pradesh education scam and Maharashtra government education scam would need support in Parliament to push through its reforms. So far the government has not been able to push through either GST or the Land Bill. Buried under the scams and controversies the government would look for new allies among the regional satraps. The government, some feel could take steps to keep some of the regional players in “good humour” to drum up support in its favour. 

 

The Marans have been facing probes by the CBI and the ED including in the 2G scam-related Aircel-Maxis case, and the alleged money laundering case.