Coal scam: 'Remote controlled' PM has no right to run this country, says Chandrababu Naidu

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh over 'missing files' linked to the allocation of coal blocks, and said that if the Prime Minister cannot protect files, he does not have the right to rule the country.

He further alleged that there is a remote control from UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and the inaction by the Prime Minister, non-governance and corruption are responsible for the present state of the country.

"It is very unfortunate that coalgate files are missing. PM is involved in this, CAG has given a report finding fault with the Central government. CBI is investigating all this corruption charges. Who is responsible for missing hundreds of file in this case?" he questioned.

"This is very unfortunate for the country. Even PM is unable to protect files, how can he protect the country. How is he having the right to rule this country? There is a remote control from Sonia Gandhi and she is doing all these things. Because of that, there is inaction by Prime Minister, non-governance and corruption," he added.

The Supreme Court earlier in the day slammed the government and the CBI for the 'slow pace' of the coal allocation probe and the missing files linked to the allocation of coal blocks to private parties at throwaway prices.

According to reports, the CBI had said it had not received crucial files from the government to investigate 13 FIRs or police complaints it had filed in the case. The agency had claimed than some 225 files it had asked for were 'missing', but the government told the court in an affidavit that only seven files are missing.

Supreme Court also came down heavily on the CBI, which had earlier assured that it would complete the coal probe in four-five months.

Union Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal on August 18 admitted that some files from 1993 to 2004 were missing and a committee headed by an Additional Secretary of the ministry is inquiring into it.

"It's true that some files from 1993 to 2004 are missing. We are trying to get the copies of those files ready," Jaiswal said.

Jaiswal further said that the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDI), Ministry of Steel and Ministry of Cement have also been asked to return the files if they have them.