Gadkari demands PM’s resignation over 2G, CWG scams

JAMMU - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Gadkari on Friday demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in connection with the 2G spectrum and the 2010 Commonwealth Games scams.

Addressing the ‘Ekta Sankalp rally’ here, Gadkari criticized the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre saying the Prime Minister had lent support to the scamsters by choosing to ‘look the other way’.

“The Prime Minister should form the JPC and answer our questions and if you (PM) cannot answer our questions, then you should step down from your post on moral grounds,” said Gadkari.

“The Prime Minister looked the other way while Commonwealth Games officials were perpetrating the colossal scam. By doing so, he has lent support to the monetary mismanagement. In such circumstances, it is the moral responsibility of the Prime Minister to step down from his post. This is the only right thing to do,” he added.

When asked about the continuous demand of the BJP for the resignation of the Prime Minister over the 2G scam, Gadkari said: “Directly or indirectly” the permission for CWG projects and even the 2G Spectrum allocation came from his office. Action against A Raja and Suresh Kalmadi is an eyewash. Action against them is not enough.”

Earlier today, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioned former Telecom Minister A. Raja questioning in connection with alleged irregularities in the allocation of 2G spectrum to certain telecom firms.

The CBI grilled Raja two weeks after his premises in New Delhi and in Tamil Nadu were raided in connection with the scam.

Raja was forced to resign last month after a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) faulted him for undervaluing spectrum to favour companies who were largely ineligible for 2G spectrum, and added that the government had probably lost Rs.1.76 lakh crore in estimated revenue.

Further welcoming the raids being conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at the residential premises of embattled Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi and his aide in New Delhi and in Pune in connection with its probe into alleged irregularities in the conduct of the Games, Gadkari asserted that action would also have to be taken against senior ministers and bureaucrats, who aided the process.

“Kalmadi is a symbol of corruption. The matter will have to be probed more thoroughly. The role of nine ministers of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, who took different decisions, would also need to be investigated,” said Gadkari.

The raids conducted today and also the action initiated against Kalmadi, are welcome steps, but these are not enough. A proper inquiry must also be conducted to probe the roles played by key ministers, officials and bureaucrats in aiding the process,” he added.

The CBI today morning raided the residences of Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi and his personal secretary Manoj Bhure in New Delhi and in Pune in connection with alleged irregularities in the conduct of the 2010 sporting extravaganza.

The raids were conducted in the wake of reports that some crucial documents related to Commonwealth Games deals have gone missing. (ANI)