2G: Sharad Pawar comes under Balwa spectrum?

Mumbai, Mar 31: Congress and its allie in Tamil Nadu - DMK have already been cornered with 2G scandal. Now, it seems that the second generation telecom spectrum is much more bigger than it was thought earlier. Many high-profile people including former telecom minister A Raja have been arrested over their alleged roles in the scam. Now, union agriculture minister and NCP leader Sharad Pawar's name also has come up under the 2G-shadow.

DB Realty promoter Shahid Balwa is one of the main accused in whole 2G spectrum scam. The investigation agency Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested him and send him to Tihar jail. Now, main opposition BJP's MLA Eknath Khadse claimed Balwa-Pawar connection.

Khadse on Thursday, Mar 31 claimed in the Maharashtra Assembly that Pawar had travelled with Balwa to Dubai twice in Balwa's plane. Khadse also alleged that BCCI President Shashank Manohar was also in the plane.

However, this is not the first time that Pawar's link with Balwa has come up in the limelight. During Balwa's arrest, several media reports showed Pawar-Balwa link.

Rejecting all links with Balwa, Pawar previously had claimed, "As per media reports I have read, he is 32 years old and I am 70. How can he be my friend and you should understand this."

Balwa-promoted DB Reality floated Swan Telecom. Raja allegedly helped Swan bag 2G licences for 13 circles, including Mumbai and Delhi, for Rs 1,537 crores but Swan sold 45 per cent shares to the UAE telecom giant Etisalat for approximately Rs 4,500 crore within months of bagging the spectrum.

As per reports, the CBI has proof of Balwa's involvement in receiving and channeling money for A Raja. CBI recently arrested Balwa's brother Asif Balwa regarding the same scandal.

OneIndia News