Describing the former Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, A. Raja, as only a pawn in the 2G spectrum scam, AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa on Monday demanded that the kingpins of the scam be brought to book.
In a statement here, she reiterated the demand for a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) into the scam, saying that if the Congress leadership had nothing to hide, it should give in to this eminently reasonable demand.
“With the Supreme Court monitoring every turn of the investigations, I trust justice will prevail and the money looted will be recovered in full and the culprits brought to book. The only question is, does the CBI and do the other investigating agencies have this type of an umbrella mandate?”
“It is under these circumstances that I, along with all other Opposition leaders, cutting across the political spectrum, have been insisting on a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe,” she said.
Ms. Jayalalithaa wanted all the Central agencies — the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax Department — to do their duty without fear or favour.
“The issue is all the more grave, as a number of foreign players based in countries inimical to India, including China and Pakistan, have been given entry into our telecom sector, opening up very serious concerns about the nation's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.”
Ms. Jayalalithaa said the news about the transfer of funds from DB Realty, a Mumbai-based real estate firm and one of the beneficiaries of the 2G spectrum scam, to the Chennai-based Kalaignar TV did not come as a surprise.
She announced her support for Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy's demand in court that Mr. Karunanidhi be named as a co-accused in the case.
