The BJP appears in no mood to speak a word on the ruling BJD in Orissa which allegedly made “selective” recommendations for coal block allocations to private companies in the state.
BJP general-secretary Dharmendra Pradhan, who was here on a one-day trip to the state, was very much guarded on the BJD’s role on the multi-crore coal scam while addressing a press conference at the party’s state headquarters.
“I would like to say it on record that the state governments, including the BJD government in Orissa, are at no fault in recommending the names of private players for coal block allocations to expedite economic growth in their respective states. It is the Union coal ministry which takes the final call and in the present coalgate that caused `1,86,000 crore loss to the national exchequer,” Mr Pradhan said.
Holding the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who earlier held the coal portfolio, responsible for the mess, the BJP leader said he should immediately step down to ensure a fair probe.
“The coalgate should be probed by a special investigation team (SIT) as the CBI, which has been asked to probe the scam, functions directly under the Prime Minister. The agency cannot act go against its de jure authority,” Mr Pradhan remarked.
The Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary deflected repeated queries as to why the state government should not come under the purview of the investigation; and if he was avoiding the matter for the that fact some BJP rulers, including Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh had made similar recommendations.
“I don’t support selective recommendations. If the Orissa government has done this, then it should be taken into task. We do not want to support any illegalities committed by anybody,” said the BJP leader.