Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy, who has approached the Supreme Court seeking sanction for prosecution of the former Telecom Minister, A. Raja, on Friday said he would object to Attorney General Ghulam Vahanvati's appearance in court if it has anything to do with the spectrum scam.
“If Vahanvati pleads for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, then I have no problem. But if he speaks on spectrum then it is a violation of the law, because Raja has written a letter to the PM on December 26 saying that he got the advice from the Solicitor-General, which Vahanvati was then,” he told journalists outside Parliament.
Dr. Swamy was reacting to reports that Mr. Vahanvati has replaced Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium and would appear for the Prime Minister in court.
He said according to the rules governing the SG's service, he cannot render advice unless the Law Ministry asked for it.
“He [S-G] cannot do it on his own. So [Vahanvati] cannot argue on spectrum. He can plead for the PM. I have no objection.”
On the Congress saying there should be a complaint lodged with the magistrate first for holding an inquiry, Dr. Swamy said: “Why did the SC judges not say so? Who is this Congress spokesperson who says so? Those who do not know law would say so.
“Why should I complain to a magistrate. I have completed all my investigations. I do not need it. I have everything [details of the case]. The Congress will do better if it removes him from the post of spokesperson.”
He said he had the right to go to a magistrate or a sessions judge for lodging a complaint and ask for issuing summons to Mr. Raja.
“No one has so far asked me why I have come here straight without first lodging a complaint with the magistrate.”
When it was pointed out that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanadihi was saying that the policy framed during the BJP rule in 1998 was followed in the 2G spectrum allocation, he said: “I have no issue with it. They [BJP] should be held accountable. I have never said the BJP people should not be held accountable. I have no relation with it.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Vahanvati brushed aside any ‘conflict of interest' in the 2G spectrum case in which he would be representing the Prime Minister.
“I have not given any opinion,” he told PTI when asked about Dr. Swamy's stand.
The Attorney General categorically said he did not appear for Mr. Raja, who has resigned.
“I did not appear for Mr. Raja. I appeared for the Department of Telecom before TDSAT and once before the Delhi High Court,” Mr. Vahanvati said.
