The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday stepped up its demand for resignation of Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, saying it will ensure that the investigation in 2G spectrum case is not impacted and will pave the way for smooth functioning of Parliament.
The fresh offensive came as a Delhi court allowed Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy to depose as a witness and lead further evidence in support of his private complaint against Mr. Chidambaram in the 2G spectrum case.
“The court order vindicates our stand that there is a need for P. Chidambaram to step down,” BJP spokesperson Prakash Javdekar told reporters outside Parliament.
He said, “If he (Mr. Chidambaram) resigns, it will definitely pave the way for smooth functioning of Parliament,” Mr. Javdekar said, “We have been demanding Chidambaram’s resignation and a CBI probe to ascertain his role in the 2G scam and now when his two junior officers will talk about his culpability, how is it possible that he continues to be a Minister.”
Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi claimed that Mr. Chidambaram’s stay in office will impact the investigation.
“It is necessary that he (Mr. Chidambaram) should go otherwise he can influence his officials and destroy evidence,” he said.
Mr. Joshi also rejected the government charge that the Opposition disrupted the proceedings in Parliament as it did not want to discuss the issue of price rise.
“We will also discuss price rise but what about the two officers under him who will go and stand in the witness box when he is holding this position. Will it not impact,” he asked.
