I apologise to Kamal Nath for calling him corrupt, says the former CII head
While Niira Radia's lobbying on behalf of A. Raja for the Telecom portfolio in 2009 is now well known, the latest tapes to surface in the ever widening scandal known as ‘Radiagate' point towards the role of the former head of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Tarun Das, in getting Kamal Nath the office of Minister of Road Transport and Highways.
In one of his conversations with Ms. Radia in May 2009, when the process of Cabinet formation in the UPA-II was still on, Mr. Das boasts of how he had suggested “big time” for Mr. Nath to be given the key infrastructure portfolio. This despite him accusing the Congress politician of “mak[ing] money” by skimming “15 per cent” from projects under his charge.
When Ms. Radia asks about the induction of some Ministers in the UPA-II and says Mr. Nath's allocation of portfolio was a “bit shocking,” the former CII Chief Mentor reveals that he had batted for Mr. Nath to get the coveted Ministry. “Between you and me,” he tells Ms. Radia, “I had suggested it for him... I had suggested it big time.”
Accusing Mr. Nath's predecessor — Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's T.R. Baalu — of messing up highway development work during his five-year tenure in UPA-I, Mr. Das says: “Because highways construction and road construction is really a priority… he [Mr. Nath] will do a good job. “He is a doer,” he asserts.
Accusing the Minister of corruption, Mr. Das says Mr. Nath can still make his “15 per cent” on this. “You can do national service and also make money… and do really something worthwhile here,” Mr. Das says, to which Ms. Radia's responds: “This is still an ATM [automated teller machine] for Kamal Nath.” “Absolutely,” says Mr. Das.
Asked by The Hindu how he could speak of a Minister doing national service if he was “also making money” and why he pushed for Mr. Nath's candidature despite harbouring apprehensions about corruption under his watch, Mr. Das said his “15 per cent” remark was “irresponsible and unfortunate.”
I regret that, he said. “Loose talk. My public apologies to Mr. Nath.”
Denying that he had lobbied on behalf of Mr. Nath, he said he perceived the Minister as a “doer” who had the “ability to get things done.” “Hence, in exchanging ideas with people about a wish list of responsibilities, I did talk about ‘Surface Transport' for him.”
Referring to his use of the term “big time,” Mr. Das said he meant “forceful.” “I really felt strongly he was the right man for the job. I was really happy he was allotted Roads and Highways,” he added.
Claiming that he did not lobby for Mr. Nath, Mr. Das said: “Please remember the context. Everyone at that time was discussing, speculating and expressing views. Please see this conversation in that context. This was a wish. I hoped that those who decide these things would think of him for this job. Nothing more, nothing beyond,” he added.
During the same phone conversation, Ms. Radia also talks about Anand Sharma being made Minister of Trade and Commerce and asks whether Mr. Das knows him. “I know him reasonably well... not so well… we will have to brief him… educate him… he is new to this whole industry area... but he is a trusted person,” he adds.
Keywords: Tarun Das, Radia tapes, 2G spectrum issue scam, A. Raja, Radiagate
Why was this apology needed ? It was a private conversation.
Was Tarun Das intimidated or did he do this to protect himself from possible threats ?
I think CBI should summon Tarun Das and make him share what he knows.
The conversation between Tarun Das and Neera Radia is shocking. Tarun Das as Director General of CII and Chief Mentor of CII in all CII conferences, meetings and partnership summits have been saying the need to have transparency and to eliminate corruption from this country and also how CII will go out and fight corruption. These conversation now proves that it is nothing but double talk and lacks sincerity. He has proved how hypocritcal he is.
So, ultimately, down the years, what will happen? Will the culprits be booked? Will the looted money come back? I doubt very much, because not in my knowledge, anyone at the higher level has ever been punished. The cases may drag on for years, wasting further public money. Possibly, some other party or coalition will capture power, and they would conveniently forget the whole episode. I wish to be an optimist that some lessons would be learnt, but alas, the track record in India on big-time crime punishment, particularly for politicians, has been a dismal picture. I doubt whether the media which is crying hoarse now would sustain the tempo and see to its logical end. Only persons like Swamy would be fighting a lone battle.
This entire incident is a sucker punch on the face of all Indians. Thanks to the infinite number of corrupt practices which, intentionally or unintentionally go unnoticed, people have stopped expecting and started accepting.
This is in response to Mitra's comment: I'm quite sure that Indians cannot stand the kind of skewed logic that you voice anymore - "at least he does something, so let him swallow half of the money". There are thousands of competent people out there, who would be willing to serve as a minister without stealing. Please do not propagate these views. The country can do well without people who think like you.
This just only confirms to the general belief how the politicians and corporates are looting the money..; ofcourse what came out in the Radia tapes is just a scratch on the surface.
Well normal citizens of some knowledge believe that it is PM's prerogative to form his ministry. Here all and sundry have had a say. Good luck - no wonder the whole world is amazed how this country is running! Looks like MMS had no role really to form his ministry. Who batted for others? More muck in the offing.
Manmohan Singh's integrity is blemishless.Whenever he has looked the other way,it is obvious that other political compulsions to keep the Government going, made him do it,against his own conscience.This is the best time for the honest man to say that his decent attempt to bring some decency into politics has failed, and, resign.This will shake up the whole rotten structure.The Courts and the people's reaction may clean up the system.This is India's only chance to tame this monster called 'corruption'.
Thank you, Tarun Das, for reconfirming the specifics what is known as a generalized truth. Asking for a cut for doing a national service..not bad. At least he is doing his job.What an attitude! Wonderful!! Very deep truth of life indeed. It is not for nothing that India ranks pretty high in global poverty index...Our 'leaders' have to really worked hard for it!
It is nice to see more and more mud flying around, spalshing all these "bold and beautiful" people. These people acted as arbitrators of the country's largely unaware people.
There is nothing embarrassing for Tarun Das in this. We know Kamal Nath is corrupt, but at least he wants to get the work done! So he is better than many others like Baalu who are even more corrupt than Nath, but won't do any work. Highway/road construction is a very important area, and there is nothing wrong in wanting the ministry to go to someone who is a go getter.
Is the politics of India being controlled by Corporate world? Radia tapes indicate that. Will this corporate influence make India better in social and economic context?
Tarun Das in a conversation with Nira Radia, comments about Kamal Nath's induction in UPA 2 in 2009, as Road & Transport Minister: "Kamal Nath is a doer, he can build National, Road Highways.. He's kind of a man who can make his 15% (make some money) while doing some national service." Given that India intends to invest something like $50 billion dollars plus in 5 year plans, Kamal Nath will make something in vicinity of $7.5 Billion as his share of doiing national service of building roads, dams & highways. This is India, Circa 2010. Thank You Kamal Nath for doing such a huge favor to 1 billion plus Indians.
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