After CBI raids, opposition demands Raja's arrest

In the wake of CBI searches at the residences of former Telecom Minister A Raja and his associates, opposition parties today demanded his arrest and said the raids have strengthened their demand for a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum case.

"CBI raids have strengthened the need for a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum scam and show there was a massive corruptio. There is a need to find out how the system has been manipulated and how can we improve it in the future," CPM leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters here.

The Left leader said by carrying out the raids, the Government probably wanted to dilute the demand for a JPC but it further has strengthened the need for it.

"If new laws are required to stop the manipulations of the system, then in our country, only Parliament has the right to do so," he said.

Welcoming the raids, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said the action should have been taken much earlier as Raja was given time to "hide" things.

"It is not a question of just a raid. He should be arrested at the earliest. He should be sent to Tihar Jail and criminal proceedings should be initiated against him and should be treated as a class three prisoner," he said.

Demanding the arrest of Raja, AIADMK leader V Maitreyan said the raids have come a little late "but better late then never. We hope that these raids are for real and not merely an eyewash into the scam."

Asked to comment on the raids, BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said, "its too little, too late."