Sanjay Nirupam, Sandeep Dikshit called me names: Vinod Rai

Interview with Former CAG

Former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai, in his book Not Just An Accountant has blamed former prime minister Manmohan Singh for not acting in the interest of the nation. In an interview to Aditi Phadnis and Sahil Makkar, he denies any links with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Edited excerpts:

After your book, former prime minister Manmohan Singh tried to defend himself by saying he was doing his duty.

A couple of days ago, he said he was just following the dharma of coalition politics. My point is: How can you subjugate the interest of the nation for your own political goal? I do not doubt his personal integrity. I think whether it is government or a political party, the nation should come first.

Why did you blame him, when it is the collective responsibility of the entire government?

When John Kennedy was the US President, on his table (there) used to be a triangular transparent prism that would read 'buck stops here'. He was the chief executive officer, so for either good or bad, the responsibility rested with him. The PM responded to A Raja's letter, saying, "I have received your letter and thank you for informing about development in your sector." At that time, the PM could have said please bring the issue to the Group of Ministers as suggested by the finance ministry, home ministry and Kamal Nath.

It is easy to come out and write about such things after retirement. As a constitutional authority, why didn't you raise the red flag then?

I did my part by presenting the report in Parliament.

You said three MPs mounted pressure on you to not name the PM in the report. Who were they?

Ashwini Kumar, Sandeep Dikshit and Sanjay Nirupam. Ashwini Kumar told me not to write the PM's name in the report. I told him how can I not write his name, when the PM is writing to A Raja and the latter is writing back two letters on the same day. The PM also wrote to the PAC chairman (M M Joshi), offering to appear before the committee. This was the time when Sandeep and Sanjay had joined PAC.

You could have informed the Supreme Court or Parliament about the alleged pressure.

MPs have parliamentary privileges; judges have judicial privileges. People can be hauled up for contempt of court or breach of parliamentary privileges. I was the sitting CAG and was present in the PAC meetings where Dikshit and Nirupam called me names. They said I am a fraud, I have political leanings and my reports are lies. What could have I done, except to complain to the PAC chairman? The PAC chairman reported (the matter) to the Speaker; nothing happened. I am happy that Sanjay has sent me a legal notice; now, I will bring everything into the public domain.

You are often said to be BJP's man, who leaked reports to generate more controversies around UPA.

My first report on 2G (telecom scam) came out in 2010. Do you think I have that foresight, that I will be chipping away in a solid government and then undermine it so the BJP comes to power? I have served 24 years in Kerala, I have served in (former Kerala CM) K Karunakaran's district for seven years. I was a so-called favourite of his. I was finance secretary for five years under a CPI (Communist Party of India) chief minister. When (A K) Antony took over, he continued with me as finance secretary. Where are my leanings? BJP was not in existence in Kerala then. When I came to Delhi, P Chidambaram made me his secretary. So, whoever makes such allegations should see some grain of truth in it. At least, yet, I have not gone the BJP way. I will see what happens in the future.

You are not denying your future prospects with BJP?

I am saying politics is not my cup of tea. I am not cut out for it.