New Delhi: The CPI(M) on Saturday termed Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh`s acceptance of responsibility in the
appoint of P J Thomas as the CVC as "nothing substantial" and
said it would await what he is likely to say in Parliament on
the issue.
"It is nothing substantial. It is but natural that the
Prime Minister as the head of a high-powered committee (which
appointed Thomas) has to take responsibility," senior party
leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters here.
He said since the Prime Minister has said he would make a
statement in Parliament, "We should wait and see what the
government has to say."
At a press conference in Jammu yesterday, the Prime
Minister said he accepted responsibility for the controversial
appointment of Thomas as Central Vigilance Commissioner, which
was struck down by the Supreme Court.
Thomas, an accused in the Palmolein import case in Kerala,
was appointed to the constitutional post by a committee, which
had the Prime Minister, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Leader
of Opposition Sushma Swaraj who had distanced herself from the
decision by recording a note of dissent.
The Opposition has been demanding a statement from Singh
on his accountability regarding the controversial appointment.
PTI
