New Delhi: Not satisfied with Union Minister
Dayanidhi Maran`s resignation, BJP on Friday demanded that Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh sack then Finance Minister P
Chidambaram "forthwith" for his alleged complicity in the
case.
"The 2-G spectrum scandal is no longer only an `ally
affair`. The revelations in the JPC, which is looking into the
scandal, and those coming out in the media show that there is
a Congress overtone to this," BJP spokesperson Nirmala
Sitharaman said.
Referring to the events around January 10, 2008 when the
2G spectrum licences were issued, she said Home Minister P
Chidambaram, who was then Finance Minister, is also
responsible for the government not taking the auction route
and claimed this led to a loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore.
"On January 9, 2008, an additional secretary in the
Finance Ministry had clearly suggested adoption of the auction
route for spectrum usage charges. On January 15, the Finance
Minister sent a note to the PM that the government adopt the
auction route for future spectrum allocations and treat all
allocations made in the past as a closed chapter," she said.
BJP also wondered if not keeping minutes of a May 29, 2008
meeting on the 2G issue by the government was a "deliberate
procedural lapse".
"An attempt was made in that meeting by then Finance
Minister to gloss over the divergent opinions, cover up the
disregard to rules, regulations and procedures in the issue of
licences by holding a meeting with the then Telecom Minister A
Raja.
"It is reported that the Prime Minister was informed of an
`agreed position` thereafter. A clear four months after the
scandalous allocation of the 2G licences," Sitharaman said.
BJP demanded that the Prime Minister break his silence on
this matter and issue an explanation. It further said
Chidambaram`s position in the Cabinet has become untenable now
and he should be "removed forthwith".
PTI
