BJP seeks explanation from PM on PC's alleged role in 2G scam

New Delhi (PTI) The main opposition BJP today
alleged that the taped conversation between former Indian
Telecom Minister A Raja and corporate lobbyist Niira Radia
shows that the then Finance Minister P Chidambaram played a
role in the 2G spectrum scam and sought an explanation from
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"There are fairly extensive references in the
conversation between former Minister A Raja and Niira Radia on
whatever is alleged as the role played by P Chidambaram. The
allegations referred there are related to money being taken
and also functioning of Chidambaram regarding minerals and gas
matters," Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) spokesperson Nirmala
Sitharaman said.
The CBI could be taking a soft line on Chidambaram in
this case, she said and maintained that this was visible when
the investigating agency did not comply with the Supreme Court
orders to provide more details on his reported involvement.
"An analysis of this money making by Chidambaram has
been entered by the CBI as an analysis elsewhere. We are not
able to understand how the CBI has not produced the details to
the Supreme Court," Sitharaman said.
She noted that the Supreme Court, which is monitoring
the CBI investigations into 2G scam, has asked the Income Tax
department to produce the transcript related to the
conversation between Raja and Radia.
The opposition party claimed that the conversation
makes it clear that Chidambaram was involved in the making of
the policy for 2G spectrum allocation.
She termed this a "very serious issue" and sought an
explanation from the government.
"A conspiracy of silence continues on part of the
Prime Minister in Chidambaram's case," she said.
The BJP maintained that the conversation makes it
clear that Chidambaram was involved in policy making on 2G
spectrum allocation.
"It is very clear that as regards the fixation of the
prices of 2G spectrum allocation, there was clearly a role
played by P Chidambaram as the Finance Minister in fixing the
price of spectrum in 2007 at 2001 prices," Sitharaman said.
She charged that Chidambaram was reported to have been
advising Raja at this point in time on how to go about the
allocation of 2G spectrum.
"An allegation has gone so as far as to say that he
(Chidambaram) was jointly responsible for the decision of
going in for allocating spectrum in 2007 at 2001 rates,"
Sitharaman said.
The spokesperson insisted that these revelations raise
several queries which need to be answered.
"It raises the question in our minds. Why can't we
make an inference that probably Mr Chidambaram is culpable. It
raises a very serious concern, in all our minds, I am sure.
This certainly needs a lot of explanation," Sitharaman said.