More people in UPA must be probed, says Opposition

Raja and his supporters might be in a celebratory mood after the former was granted bail by a special CBI court here, but the Opposition is not amused. Targetting not just the DMK, an ally of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), but also the ruling coalition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday said there were more people within the UPA government whose role should be probed.

The first attack on the UPA government came from the BJP leadership, which believes that Raja was not the only culprit in the scam and that there were several others who have managed to escape the net of the investigators till now and they should also be probed. “A Raja is not the only person involved in the 2G spectrum scam. There are several others who are equal partners in this crime, and the probe should reach them too. The investigation should be taken to its logical conclusion. The noose should be tightened on all those who are involved in the scam,” said Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, BJP spokesperson.

The former telecom minister was arrested and sent to judicial custody on February 2 last year.

Members of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) pointed out that the decision of the court to grant bail to Raja was part of the legal process, but it didn’t mean that the case was over. “The case will continue in court. A Raja cannot be kept in jail all his life. It (bail to Raja) to is only a part of the legal process and is not the end of the case against him,” said Shivanand Tiwari, senior Janata Dal (United) leader.

Senior leaders of the BJP also suggested it was part of the legal process of the court to grant bail to Raja, as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had already filed two chargesheets in the case.

DMK members of Parliament were in a celebratory mood, and were present outside Tihar Jail in support of the former telecom minister. The party assured that Raja would follow the rules laid down by the court and he would also continue to do party work.

“We welcome the court’s verdict, and are hopeful that he will come out and prove his innocence,” said Tiruchi Siva of the DMK.

There was a piece of advice for Raja from Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy, who believes the former telecom minister was only a small player in the entire scam, and the bigger players should be identified. “There is a very serious risk to the life of A Raja, as per my information,” Swamy told reporters.

The Congress declined to comment, stating the case was still in court. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa believes the 2G case will now get diluted.