Left parties on Thursday demanded the sacking of Telecom Minister A. Raja alleging that the 3G spectrum auction “convincingly” proved his involvement in “corrupt practices” in the sale of 2G spectrum.
In a statement, the CPI(M) Polit Bureau said “the outcome of the 3G spectrum auction convincingly proves that Union Communication Minister A Raja was clearly involved in corrupt practices by selling 2G spectrum to some industrialists by manipulating TRAI recommendations.
“Whereas 3G spectrum could fetch Rs 70,000 crore, 2G spectrum was sold at a paltry sum of Rs 2,000 crore only. Raja had done so by blatantly violating the law causing a huge loss to the public exchequer,” it said.
Demanding that he should quit his post immediately pending a high level inquiry into the 2G spectrum scam, the party said, “If the minister refuses to resign, the Prime Minister should sack him to maintain the dignity of the high post Raja is holding in the Government.”
Maintaining that despite repeated demands made in Parliament and outside, Raja has “nonchalantly’ continued to stick to his position, the CPI(M) said, “such a situation cannot be allowed to be continued.”
Forward Bloc General Secretary Debabrata Biswas said that it was “crystal clear” now that there was a “serious” scam in the 2G auction.
“Raja should not only be removed but the government should carry out an investigation to make it clear who all were responsible because it is a national loss,” he said.
CPI National Secretary D Raja said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh owes an explanation to the nation on the matter.
“Raja has been maintaining that he had informed the Prime Minister about everything. So the Prime Minister should explain to the nation what happened,” he said.
