CWG scam: Nothing to do with Kalmadi’s demand for JPC probe, says Congress

NEW DELHI - Congress Party on Monday distanced itself from sacked Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi’s demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Commonwealth Games (CWG) scam, saying it was his independent view and the party has nothing to do with it.

“The party has nothing to do with it. He is obviously speaking in his personal capacity. These are his independent views. There is no question of party associating with it,” said Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Kalmadi claiming that he would resign as Member of Parliament (MP) if proof of him having taken even a single rupee surfaced, on Sunday said: “I can vouch that I have not gained financially even a single rupee out of these games and if proved otherwise, I am prepared to step down as a Member of Parliament.”

“Were the government to agree to constitution of a JPC into the 2G spectrum issue, it would only be fair if a similar process of joint parliamentary committee should go into the entire range of issues connected with preparations, executions and conduct of Commonwealth Games. I am confident that this would enable the entire truth to emerge in the public domain,” he added, while demanding the constitution of a JPC to probe issues surrounding the Commonwealth Games.

Singhvi, refusing to comment on the case, said: “We do not believe in commenting on ongoing criminal proceedings. Where is the question of party commenting on on-going proceedings? Congress party does not constitute Organizing Committee of the Games.”

Carrying forward its probe into the several scams surrounding the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had earlier questioned Kalmadi in connection with alleged irregularities in Commonwealth Games-related projects. (ANI)