7 events that shook UPA-II

1 CAG ON TELECOM
The Comptroller and Auditor General said the faulty method of selling 2G spectrum licences by former telecom minister A Raja had cost the exchequer Rs 1.76-lakh crore. Following the tabling of the report in November 16, 2010, the Opposition didn’t allow Parliament to function for the complete winter session, demanding a joint parliamentary committee.

2 SUPREME COURT ON 2G
Sending a strong signal, the Supreme Court on December 16, 2010, decided to monitor the Central Bureau of Investigation in the 2G spectrum scam. This was the third instance when the apex court took the task of monitoring an investigation in its own hands. The court also appointed a special court to hear the proceedings on a daily basis.

3 RADIA TAPES
The publishing of the recorded conversations of corporate lobbyist Niira Radia with journalists and politicians in November 2010 revealed behind-the-scenes negotiations that went on before the selection of Cabinet ministers for UPA-II in 2009. These conversations raised questions over how the UPA-II Cabinet was decided.

4 TELANGANA PROTESTS
Early January 2010 witnessed violent protests in Hyderabad for the demand of a separate state of Telangana. Following the violence, Justice Srikrishna was asked to examine and recommend on the issue. The subsequent Srikrishna report in January 2011 suggested six options, none yet acted on.

5 LOK PAL AGITATION
The government was pushed on the back foot after social activist Anna Hazare sat on a fast-unto-death in demand for a joint committee on the Lok Pal Bill at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on April 6, 2011. Hazare, whose movement attracted massive support, broke his fast after four days, with the government agreeing to all his demands.

6 CVC APPOINTMENT
The appointment of P J Thomas as the Chief Vigilance Officer was struck down by the Supreme Court calling it “illegal” on March 3, 2011. Thomas was appointed by a high-powered committee headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj. Swaraj had disagreed with the appointment of Thomas.

7 CWG CORRUPTION
In October 2010, media reports of widespread corruption in the allotment of tenders during the preparation for the Delhi Commonwealth Games forced the PM to order a probe by ex-CAG V K Shunglu. It confirmed widespread corruption.