Published Apr 03, 2026 | 12:10 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 03, 2026 | 1:36 PM
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP A Raja
Synopsis: Audio clips allegedly of DMP MP A Raja criticising Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and speaking about the alleged 2G spectrum scam have gone viral in the state, sparking discussions. Raja claimed the audio was fabricated and sent a legal notice to the YouTuber who shared the audio clips.
With just about 20 days left for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, an alleged audio clip attributed to MP and DMK Deputy General Secretary A Raja has triggered a political controversy in the state.
In the audio, released by YouTuber Maridhas Malaichamy, Raja is purportedly heard making critical remarks about Chief Minister MK Stalin and the DMK leadership. The clip suggests that Stalin is “unfit” for leadership and includes references to Raja’s imprisonment in the alleged 2G spectrum scam case, where he allegedly says that no one visited him in jail initially.
The audio also contains claims that he would soon rise to a significant position. The clip has since been used by Opposition parties, including the AIADMK, to target the ruling DMK.
On Friday, 3 April, Raja issued a legal notice to Maridhas, accusing him of circulating “fabricated and defamatory” content.
Responding, Maridhas denied allegations that the audio clips he had published were fabricated or manipulated.
Maridhas released two parts of the alleged audio on his X (formerly Twitter) account on 2 April.
In the first part, references are made to the alleged transfer of money to Kalaignar TV. In the clip, Raja is purportedly heard saying:
“When I was arrested in the 2G case, no ministers came to see me. Only after Kanimozhi was arrested did others come. I was in jail for two months — no one visited me. What would have happened if I had turned approver? Money went to Kalaignar TV; I don’t want to say more. But did they recover anything from my house?”
The audio further claims that after Kanimozhi’s arrest, MK Alagiri, Stalin’s brother and former Union minister, allegedly visited Raja in prison and told him that Stalin had facilitated the money transfer to Kalaignar TV, and suggested that Raja and Kanimozhi could turn approvers and come out.
The clip also includes statements attributed to Raja suggesting that after Kalaignar, the party would come under his influence and that it would not slip from his control.
In another segment, Raja is purportedly heard criticising Stalin’s leadership, comparing his political ambitions to MGR’s, and questioning his abilities, including whether he could effectively communicate in English in Delhi. The audio also suggests distrust within the party and implies that Raja could not be sidelined due to his social and political influence.
The audio has now become a major talking point in the election campaigns.
The AIADMK shared the audio and launched a sharp attack on the DMK, stating that Raja himself had “exposed” Stalin’s leadership. The party questioned whether Stalin had any link to the alleged ₹1.76 lakh crore 2G spectrum scam, citing the claims made in the clip.
It also raised questions about whether such “secrets” were behind the DMK-Congress alliance, and asked whether Stalin would respond to the allegations.
The resurfacing of content linked to the 2G case, widely seen as a key factor in the Congress-led UPA’s defeat in 2014, has once again stirred political debate in Tamil Nadu.
Raja’s notice, sent through advocate Kavin Bharathan, states that the clips were “carefully curated and manipulated,” with portions selectively edited and taken out of context to distort the original conversation.
He claimed that the audio is not a continuous recording but a compilation designed to “sensationalise and mislead viewers.” The notice further alleges “clear indications of tampering” and raises the possibility that artificial intelligence or digital tools may have been used, describing it as akin to “deepfake” content.
He accused Maridhas of acting with mala fide intent to defame him, spread misinformation, and damage his public reputation. The notice warns that such actions could attract penalties under defamation laws, provisions of the Information Technology Act, and criminal statutes related to digital forgery.
Raja demanded the immediate removal of the clips from X and other platforms, a public apology, and disclosure of the source and method used to create the audio. The notice also warns that failure to comply would lead to civil and criminal proceedings.
However, responding on X, Maridhas said he would not apologise.
Maridhas responds
Maridhas stated that the audio content shared was “authentic” and released in good faith, in the larger public interest, as it concerned a public representative.
He asserted that no artificial intelligence tools or digital manipulation techniques were used to alter the clips.
“At no point has any material alteration been made to distort its meaning or context,” he said.
Maridhas also criticised the legal notice for lacking specifics. According to him, the notice did not identify any particular portion of the audio that was allegedly false, fabricated, or misleading. In the absence of such details, he termed the allegations “vague, untenable, and legally unsustainable.”
Defending his actions, Maridhas argued that the publication of the clips did not amount to defamation, as it was based on what he described as truthful material related to a public figure, and therefore fell within the scope of legal protection when disclosed in public interest.
He further clarified that he would not comply with the demands outlined in the notice. “Accordingly, I reject your demands for removal, apology, or disclosure of source,” he stated.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
