PM should ensure that Maran quits Union Cabinet: Bardhan

Hyderabad, Jun 13: Stating that the continuance of Union Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran was "untenable", Communist Party of India (CPI) General Secretary A B Bardhan today (June 13) demanded that the Prime Minister ascertain that the former was made to quit his post.

"Maran's continuance in the Union Cabinet is no longer justified. He must resign. The Prime Minister should see to it that the Minister facing fresh allegations in the 2G spectrum scandal goes. Hope the Prime Minister will take action and not wait till it is too late," Bardhan told a press conference at the CPI state headquarters Maqdoom Bhavan here today.

The General Secretary pointed out that as more and more the 2G spectrum was investigated, more and more ministers' involvement was being revealed. "The probe into the 2G scandal should take into account the decisions taken during the erstwhile NDA regime as well since the first-come-first-serve policy was introduced during that period," he added.

Bardhan also slammed the UPA government for overlooking the political parties in the drafting of the Jan Lokpal Bill.

"The government doesn't seem to have a policy. Yes, civil society is alright. But an amorphous civil society doesn't pass laws. The government should remember that the Bill has to be passed in Parliament. We don't know about the discussions in the drafting committee," he said.

He found fault with the UPA government for suddenly involving the political parties in the (Bill drafting) process and seeking their opinion.

"But, all political parties should strongly rebuff the government. It has sent us an objective-type question paper seeking answers. Is this the casual way in which you treat political parties," Bardhan questioned.

The CPI leader demanded that the draft Jan Lokpal Bill be tabled in the next session of Parliament so that it could be "discussed, processed and enacted" as law.

PTI