It's a clear case of conflict of interest, the party says
The Bharatiya Janata Party has taken exception to the appointment of Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram as the head of the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on spectrum and allied issues. This exposed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s claim that he had maintained high standards of integrity in his conduct, it said.
In a statement, BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said Dr. Singh had once again confirmed that constitutional propriety, parliamentary accountability and probity in governance were unimportant and irrelevant to him.
Mr. Prasad listed six ‘reasons’ which, according to him, disqualify Mr. Chidambaram from even being a member of the EGoM, leave alone presiding over it. It was very much in the public domain that 2G spectrum pricing was determined by the former Telecom Minister, A. Raja, in consultation with the then Finance Minister, Mr. Chidambaram, which was subsequently accepted by the Prime Minister, a fact confirmed by him in Parliament.
Mr. Prasad said a case pleading to make Mr. Chidambaram a co-accused in the 2G trial was pending and several people named in the case, including Mr. Raja, had been urging the court to summon Mr. Chidambaram.
He maintained that Mr. Chidambaram granted approval to companies like Swan and Unitech, which were on trial in the case, to sell their shares at a higher premium cost after they benefited from spectrum allocation at 2001 rates.
Mr. Prasad said that in the Maxis-Aircel deal, now being investigated by the CBI, “disturbing” questions were raised about the role of people close to Mr. Chidambaram’s family.
“In the light of above glaring facts, the appointment of Mr. Chidambaram not only gives a very wrong message but it is also a clear case of conflict of interest. This once again confirms that whenever cases of massive corruption came, Dr. Singh looked the other way instead of taking action,” he said.
In politics and governance, perception and propriety were very important and by appointing Mr. Chidambaram as the head of the EGoM on spectrum, the Prime Minister had arrogantly sought to convey that he was not much concerned about it, Mr. Prasad said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has taken exception to the appointment of Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram as the head of the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on spectrum and allied issues. This exposed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s claim that he had maintained high standard of integrity in his conduct, it said.
In a statement, BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said Dr. Singh had once again confirmed that constitutional propriety, parliamentary accountability and probity in governance were unimportant and irrelevant to him.
Mr. Prasad listed six ‘reasons’ which, according to him, disqualify Mr. Chidambaram from even being a member of the EGoM, leave alone presiding over it. It was very much in public domain that 2G spectrum pricing was determined by the former Telecom Minister, A. Raja, in consultation with the then Finance Minister, Mr. Chidambaram, which was subsequently accepted by the Prime Minister, a fact confirmed by him in Parliament.
Mr. Prasad said the case pleading to make Mr. Chidambaram a co-accused in the 2G trial was pending and several people named in the case, including Mr. Raja, have been urging the court to summon Mr. Chidambaram. He maintained that Mr. Chidambaram had granted approval to companies like Swan and Unitech, which were on trial in the case, to sell their shares at a higher premium cost after they benefited from spectrum allocation at 2001 rates.
Mr. Prasad said that in the Maxis-Aircel deal, now being investigated by the CBI, “disturbing” questions have been raised about the role of people close to Mr. Chidambaram’s family.
“In the light of above glaring facts, the reported appointment of Mr. Chidambaram not only gives a very wrong message but it is also a clear case of conflict of interest. This once again confirms that whenever cases of massive corruption came, Dr. Singh looked the other way instead of taking action,” he said.
Keywords: EGoM on Telecom, Chidambaram appointment, BJP remark
All these developments show three important things: (1)The Media has developed cold feet in its so-far relentless crusade against corruption (2)The Govt.is turning more and more arrogant,disregarding popular perceptions (3) The common-man is left high and dry, in the face of orchestrated cover-up of the biggest scam that has rocked the nation.
why not Chiddu kept out for holding any positions in the Govt. till he is cleared out of any charges by judiciary..
Only if we make our politicians be subject without exception to law of torts and libel can we have a responsible and functioning parliament.
Clarification must be sought on a debate and discussion on the floor of the house in a manner that is conducive to clarity and closure for the nation to move forward with the agenda of improving quality and standard of life of the average citizen.
The kind of irresponsible hit and run resorted to by political opposition using the media alone must desist unless backed by legal petition which can stand the test of scrutiny of justice system. If there is a flaw in our legal and justice system to prevent call for scrutiny then that be addressed first by our legislature.
The kind of belligerent name calling, histrionics and drama that the country had witnessed in the parliament under the garb of immunity of legislature for what happens within its walls has gone far enough. India has to mature as a democracy and not be reduced to mobocracy.
It is very saddening that our PM is taking things for granted and doesnt even think about pros and cons in appointing a tainted -[ till he is cleared of the allgations legally still many cases pending against him] and it is very obvious and undoubtedly that he is remote controlled - Poor India
This clearly indicates that many in the central leadership in BJP have no scruples when it comes to taking action against indicted politicians.
They cry hoarse, blackmail the nation's progress by not allowing parliament to function, resort to third degree attacks to kill their political and environmental opponents and shunt away their poor standby rubber stamp sacked chief ministers into the Rajya Sabha as if it is the country's political dustbin instead of it supposedly being a house of elders with credentials and ability to discern issues and act apolitically, collectively and democratically to safeguard the near and long term interests of our nation.
BJP has shown that it is no different from a cheap opportunist party that accommodates criminals and dogmatic extremists into their fold or allow any one within their party to criminally lobby away the interests and natural resources of our country on pretext of development.
Electoral reforms not Lokpal is the need of the hour.
The media may pick and choose the ministers who,according to it,are corrupt;but there is no denying the fact that the common people of this country think that the UPA government,as an institution,is corrupt. What is an institution if it is not the group of people who run it?
Raja has only been granted bail , he is not free from the charges he face in the case & what he speaks in his defense is considered as statement of an accused but can not make PC an accuse automatically unless a case against him is taken up by the judiciary in the process as an accuse. He is allowed to function normally in the absence of such conditions.BJP is getting into habit of just finding faults & play mischief on any point (blaming any minster or Presidential election)purpose apparently seems to be only to maline the govt some how, BJP should play role, of a constructive opposition at least,that assigned to it by the voters of this country. they seems to be failing in that also.
B.J.P allegation about chidambaram is not specifically true. As they are
constantly blaming congress and the its members for every pin point
mark. They should in spite cooperate with each other to make the country
on the development path. Chidambaram is heading the E-gom panel will not
affect the judgement as the other jurists of opposition will also be
there.
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