Congress, DMK discuss Raja fate; Monday crucial

NEW DELHI/CHENNAI - Crucial developments are expected Monday in the 2G spectrum allocation controversy allegedly involving Telecom Minister A. Raja with a case related to the issue scheduled to come up in the Supreme Court and indications of a government statement in parliament.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi met senior party leaders here Sunday over the issue, which was raised by opposition parties while stalling parliament in the past week.

Opposition parties have been mounting pressure on the government to act against Raja over his alleged role in the allotment of 2G spectrum in 2008, which they claim is a Rs.1.76 trillion ($40 billion) scandal.

A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, submitted to President Pratibha Patil Wednesday, is understood have said that “Raja adopted unfair and flexible procedures to benefit a few companies” in the 2G spectrum allotment causing huge losses to the public exchequer.

Congress leaders Sunday met informally in Parliament House after paying tribute to former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru on his birth anniversary, sources said adding that Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel were also present.

“Whatever is to be said will be said in the parliament,” Mukherjee told reporters later.

Congress sources said the party had already stated that a decision on the continuation of Raja, 47, in the cabinet was to be taken by its alliance partner DMK, to which the telecom minister belongs.

They also pointed to Raja’s remarks that a lobby opposing mobile number portability was targeting him.

In a related development, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justice A.K. Ganguly and Justice G.S. Singhvi will Monday hear a public suit filed on the 2G spectrum issue.

Meanwhile in Chennai, DMK leaders said there was no need to give in to the opposition parties’ demand for removing Raja from the cabinet.

While backing Raja, the party was mindful of the responsibility of coalition politics which involved protecting the interests of other partners, DMK sources said.

Speaking to IANS on the condition of anonymity, a senior DMK leader said till now there was no change in the party’s stand in respect of supporting Raja.

During the day, DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi met Raja and party MP T.R. Baalu.

The opposition has been threatening that they will not allow the house to function Monday if Raja continues to hold office. That is nothing but blackmail, he said.

He said when it came to the crunch, the interests of the party stood above all persons.

A major point weighing against the DMK recalling Raja at this juncture was that the rival AIADMK would claim victory and credit for it, he said.

DMK sources said the party may find it difficult to face the assembly election next year with the allegations being made against Raja.