PM must step down to allow fair probe into coal scam: BJP

BJP today asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to step down to allow an impartial probe into the coal scam and said he was "guilty" of presiding over the "most corrupt government".
"The economist Prime Minister has failed miserably not only in managing the economy but is also guilty of presiding over the most corrupt government after independence. His complicity and culpability in the coal scam is very clear," BJP spokesperson, Prakash Javadekar, told reporters here.
"Most of the coal blocks allotted during 2006-2009 bear his (Singh's) final approval with his signatures. 17 billion tonnes of coal reserves worth Rs 50 lakh crore were handed over to 140 private companies for free.

"We demand the Prime Minister must step down to allow an impartial probe into the scam," he said.
Javadekar also took a dig at former Law Minister Ashwini Kumar's statement that he has "done no wrong".
"CBI's investigation report is tampered by the PMO, Coal Ministry and the Law Minister. This is unheard of... Still the ex-law minister has the audacity to say that he has done no wrong. Mr. (Ex) Law Minister, you have not committed a simple mistake (but) you have subverted the probe and obstructed the judicial process. You are guilty on both these counts," he said.

The BJP spokesperson demanded a court-monitored CBI probe into the allegations against former Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal.

"Bansal's resignation is not enough. We want an impartial probe into the allegations by CBI and which should be monitored by a court," he said.
Javadekar said the UPA government has "lost all the credibility" and the party will start a nation-wide "Jail Bharo" agitation against "loot and plunder" of the country.
"BJP will organise Jail Bharo throughout the country from May 27 till June 2 to protest against loot and plunder of the country by the Congress led UP government. We are taking issues from the Parliament to the people as the government has lost all the credibility," he said.