Citing the “successful” bidding of 3G spectrum, the BJP on Thursday alleged that it has proved that the 2G spectrum auction “went for a song.” Sharing the same view Left parties demanded sacking of telecom minister Mr A. Raja while BJP questioned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s silence on alleged acts of “corruption and
nepotism” in 2G spectrum scam. BJP national spokesperson Ms Nirmala Sitharaman said, “The loss caused to this country by Mr Raja through his acts of corruption and nepotism is huge. While 3G earned Rs 67,710 crore, it has clearly underlined that the 2G spectrum allocation went for a song.” Claiming that the 2G scam “will continue to remain a discussion worthy point,” the BJP leader said that it is a concern that 2G spectrum was allotted at a “throw away price” of Rs 1,651 crore for an all-India licence.
“How long will the Prime Minister look the other way and pretend that nothing has happened,” Ms Sitharaman asked.
On the other hand, Left parties alleged that the 3G spectrum auction “convincingly” proved Mr Raja’s involvement in “corrupt practices” in the sale of 2G spectrum. In a statement, the CPI(M) polit bureau said “the outcome of the 3G spectrum auction convincingly proves that Union communication minister A. Raja was clearly involved in corrupt practices by selling 2G spectrum to some industrialists by manipulating TRAI recommendations.”
“Whereas 3G spectrum could fetch Rs 70,000 crore, 2G spectrum was sold at a paltry sum of Rs 2,000 crore only. Raja had done so by blatantly violating the law causing a huge loss to the public exchequer,” the statement said.
Attacking Mr Raja’s argument of comparing the two spectrums to public distribution system (PDS) and basmati rice, Ms Sitharaman said, “The argument of the telecom minister that the difference between 2G and 3G spectrum is a difference between PDS rice and the basmati rice is astonishing.”