Trinamool favours JPC, but will support government decision

NEW DELHI - Though in favour a joint parliamentary committee probe into the controversial 2G spectrum allocation, the Trinamool Congress, an ally of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Tuesday said it would leave the final decision to the government.

“If the government agrees for a JPC, it is good. But we will support the government in whatever stand it and Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) takes. We believe the prime minister is honest,” Trinamool MP Sudip Bandopadhyay told reporters in parliament.

The two houses were adjourned Tuesday for the 18th successive day over the opposition’s relentless demand for a JPC to probe the allotment of second-generation (2G) telecom bandwidth to mobile companies in 2008. The government equally determined not to set up such a panel has maintained a Public Accounts Committee of parliament, headed by an opposition MP, is already looking into the issue.

Bandopadhyay said the Trinamool wants the deadlock in parliament to end. “If JPC is formed, it is good. But we are with the government,” he said.

Another Trinamool leader, Dinesh Trivedi, who is also minister of state for health, said his party would support the government in whatever stand it decides to adopt on the issue.

“The Trinamool is in favour of a JPC into the 2G scam, but we will stand with the government on whatever decision it takes,” Trivedi said.