This refers to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's remark that the Prime Minister is not liable to appear before any parliamentary committee, including the Public Accounts Committee. At best, it serves to score a political point over the Opposition and deflect its demand for a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum scam.
The real intention behind Mr. Mukherjee's wisdom is to prevent the PAC from questioning Prime Minister Manmohan Singh — the same reason the government did not agree to a JPC probe. Dr. Singh's decision to appear before the PAC reflects on his simplicity. It is proof that he has nothing to hide.
A.V. Narayanan,
Tiruchi
The common man fails to understand why a popular government should become unpopular by ignoring the Opposition's persistent demand for a JPC probe, especially when it knows no harm will come to it or the Congress even if Dr. Singh appears before the committee. Is it right on the government's part to stand on false prestige?
By agreeing to the Opposition demand, Dr. Singh and his party will enhance their image and remove the doubts in the minds of the public.
C.K.N. Thampi,
Thrissur
Mr. Mukherjee has ended the suspense on which way the Congress will swing over the 2G issue. By defending A. Raja, saying the former Telecom Minister only followed the policies of the NDA government, he has endorsed what Mr. Raja has claimed all along. Sceptics are right when they say nothing will come out of an enquiry into the scam.
S. Rajagopalan,
Chennai
