New Delhi: In the wake of controversy over
S-band spectrum allocation, BJP today accused Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh of presiding over "an empire of corruption" and
sought his clarification on nine questions regarding the award
of the precious resource.
BJP alleged that the allocation of 70 MHz of S-Band
spectrum to Devas Multimedia by ISRO`s ANTRIX was another
"mega scam" after corruption in Commonwealth Games, 2-G
Spectrum, CVC appointment and Adarsh Housing Society.
"It is self evident that Manmohan Singh presides over an
empire of corruption and scams causing heavy loss to public
money, its image being one of the most corrupt administration
since independence and yet it is claimed that he is Mr Clean,"
BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
The main opposition also made light of the PMO`s
statement earlier in the day, stating that since no decision
had yet been taken on allocation of the 70 MHz spectrum,
reports of a loss to the exchequer had no basis.
"It does not deny that there was an agreement. Question
here is not whether there was a loss," Prasad said.
He demanded a clarification from the government, saying
he was directly responsible as the Department of Space comes
under him.
"There is no (A) Raja or (Suresh) Kalmadi here. Did you
approve the deal or not. Country is deeply agitated over this
issue," he said.
Prasad alleged that the Prime Minister`s office had come
out with "this kind of a terse reply" and asked him how many
more scams and for how long would the country have to witness.
BJP also attacked Congress President Sonia Gandhi,
asking her to break her silence on this scam.
"Sonia Gandhi is chairperson of National Advisory
Council and chairperson of UPA. How long will she keep quiet.
Say something. Do you hold any accountability or not? You have
not spoken on CWG, Adarsh or 2-G. Will you ever speak?" Prasad
said.
Among the questions BJP posed to the Prime Minister are:
ISRO comes directly under the Prime Minister. Was an approval
(for allocation of spectrum) sought and was it given and if so
on what terms and conditions and whether the 2005 agreement
between ISRO and Devas approved by the government as it
involved parting of government property.
PTI
