Opp demands explanation from govt over 2G row

Opposition parties today demanded an explanation from the government in Parliament over media reports alleging influence of corporate houses over 2G spectrum allocation saying it was a serious issue.

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters outside Parliament that "when the phone tapping issue was raised last week, government had said in both Houses that it was not authorised. However media reports appearing today seem to be indicating that it is all authorised.

Even Supreme Court has described phone tapping as unconstitutional. We want the government to respond on this issue in Parliament, as it is a serious matter."

Yechury added that his party "has always maintained that 2G spectrum allocation has been a big scam. Let us see what comes out of the ongoing 3G allocation".
    
JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav said that his party would give a notice in the Lok Sabha, seeking discussion on the issue.
    
BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, "CBI had sought permission to carry out probe in the spectrum issue, but that demand was not fulfilled by the government. There were proofs of direct links of the minister concerned and the minister was to be probed by the CBI but the government did not give permission."
    
Alleging that CBI keeps changing its role in cases against politicians keeping in mind the convenience of the government, Javadekar said there should be a debate in Parliament over blatant misuse of CBI as new cases of CBI's misuse are coming to fore.
     
"Fair officials who are investigating sensitive cases have been transferred. Three such officers have been transferred recently. This is a frontal attack on democracy," Javadekar added.
    
He also accused the Centre of resorting to "deals within deals" to save the government during the call motion yesterday adding that this was an old practice of Congress to which it adopted even during the nuclear deal.
    
He said that the central government resorted to "all sorts of gross misuse of CBI" to sail through the cut motion .
    
Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari, however, rubbished the charges saying, "BJP measures up everything with the standard they have set."
    
Referring to the Tehelka tape controversy during the NDA regime, Tewari said, "What BJP did to Tehelka. They hounded the publication and tried to run it down. Before making any false charges, BJP should introspect."
    
Without naming anyone, the Congress leader also attacked BJP over IPL saying, "BJP leadership should rather try to come out with the connections their party leaders have with the kingpins of IPL."