Hailing the verdict as “historic”, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president MK Stalin said on Thursday that the court has established without doubt that the party did nothing wrong.
Euphoric scenes were witnessed outside Stalin and Kanimozhi’s houses, with people seen bursting crackers and distributing sweets. Party workers were also celebrating outside the Patiala House Court in Delhi.
Stalin also stepped out and distributed sweets to the media waiting outside his house. There he said, “It is a historic verdict. This case was filed to destroy the DMK. The court has clearly established the party did nothing wrong.”
Taking a dig at the media, he said, “I request you with all humility, I hope you will take this judgment to the people with the same enthusiasm with which you covered the alleged scam.”
Kanimozhi's mother Rajathiammal told a TV channel, "I'm very happy, justice has won. Now that my daughter is free, the people will also be freed."
“Government must prove its bona fides by filing an immediate appeal in High Court,” tweeted Subramanian Swamy.
Congress leader P Chidambaram told media persons on Thursday, “The supposed 2G scam involving the highest level of the government was not correct, never true and it has been established today.”
TKS Elangovan of the DMK said that truth had triumphed."We have always been saying that this was a false case and now the truth has triumphed. We are happy."
The party cadre was seen dancing outside Stalin and Kanimozhi’s residences, waving posters that echoed what Elangovan said.
DMK leader J Anbazhagan told a TV channel that “this is the first of several victories the party will see in coming years.”
“I would like to thank everyone who stood by me, including my family, husband and party,” a smiling Kanimozhi told cameras outside the Patiala Court. "Finally our innocence has been proved. I will not deliberately target anyone, but there was a conspiracy and a lot of people had a hand in this."
Asked if the verdict would affect the RK Nagar bye-polls, in which polling has already begun, she said, "I don't think it will as DMK is already winning. However, the verdict means a lot, and it will enthuse the cadre for the bye-polls and the upcoming 2019 general election.”
Thol Thirumavalavan, VCK leader said, “I welcome the verdict. There were all sorts of false accusations levelled against them. It caused a lot of stress and trouble for the DMK, and its allies like the Congress. It has been proved now that put a false case against the DMK.”
Hundreds of supporters had come to the court and were seen celebrating as soon as the verdict was announced. Posters hailing A Raja were waved as he left Patiala House Court. Posters saying ‘Satyameva Jayate’ and ‘Truth alone Triumphs’ were also spotted.
Congress spokesperson Khushbu tweeted: “We the Congress have always believed in serving the nation and working towards the betterment of the people of this country.. Acquittal from 2G case is a clear picture of SatyaMevJayate.. You can never take away the spirit of Congress #CongressIsClean”
TTV Dhinakaran also took to Twitter and said, “I am happy that all the accused in the 2G scam have been acquitted. I am happy because our Tamils have been acquitted. I do not wish for even the opposition to go to jail.”
However, not everyone was celebrating the verdict.
"The Congress is treating it like a badge of honour," Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told reporters outside the Parliament on Thursday. "The fact that the policy caused loss is clear from the fact the subsequent auctions got a much higher price."
Pattali Makkal Katchi's S Ramadoss said, "The spectrum scam has happened. But, because it was done in such a clinical manner, it could not be proved. This is truth. Injustice and corruption have won now. But, it cannot win always."
The 2000-page order, given by Judge OP Saini, declared all accused acquitted of charges.