"We hold PM responsible for coal scam": BJP

Says the PM had cleared arbitrary allocations that involved "monumental corruption"

BJP on Tuesday said it would comment on the Supreme Court rejecting the plea for making Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a party in FIR lodged by CBI in the coal scam after studying the apex court order and the submissions made by the agency but said it holds him responsible for the scam.

The party holds Singh responsible for the coal scam as he, as Coal Minister, had cleared arbitrary allocations that involved "monumental corruption", BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar told reporters here.

"In Hindalco case, the 'competent authority' is Prime Minister. So, he was Coal Minister. Under his signature and seal, all the coal blocks had been allotted, and there is large-scale corruption...Monumental corruption in such arbitrary allocations. So, he is responsible for what has happened in coal allocations. We hold him responsible".