Singh’s move seen as masterstroke

Dec 21, 2010 |

Correspondent

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New Delhi, Dec. 20: The Prime Minster, Dr Manmohan Singh’s readiness to appear before the PAC is seen in political circles as a masterstroke, for the Opposition parties have been trying to link the PM to the 2G controversy.

Speaking at the 83rd Congress plenary session, Dr Singh said, “The BJP has been falsely propagating that the UPA government is against the JPC because we do not want the Prime Minister to be questioned by a parliamentary committee, thereby implying that I have something to hide. I wish to state categorically that I have nothing to hide from the public at large and as proof of my bona fides I intend to write to the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee that I shall be happy to appear before the PAC if it chooses to ask me to do so.”

“As Prime Minister of this great country for six-and-a-half years, I have tried to serve my country to the best of my ability. I sincerely believe that like Caesar’s wife, the Prime Minister should be above suspicion and it is for this reason that I am prepared to appear before the PAC even though there is no precedent to that effect,” Dr Singh said.

The Prime Minister added, “... you know that the CAG report on 2G spectrum is being examined by the PAC, which itself is a joint parliamentary committee presided over by a senior leader of the BJP, Dr Murli Manohar Joshi.

The PAC has all the powers which can be given to a JPC and the PAC is the acknowledged watchdog of any financial impropriety or misconduct,” he said.

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