Did Chidambaram contemplate quitting following 2G link-up?

New Delhi, Sept 23: With the 2G spectrum scam back to haunt the UPA, the Prime Minister and other prominent members in the cabinet and the party are putting up a brave face in the face of adversity. Latest media reports suggest sources as saying that Home Minister P Chidamabaram had expressed his willingness to resign when the PM called him from Frankfurt. Manmohan Singh is currently attending the United National General Assembly meeting in the US.

Considerable ruckus was raised after a controversial note emerged through an RTI application that mentioned the finance ministry writing to the PMO which said, Chidambaram could have stopped the 2G scam.

With the BJP going on a 'Quit Chidambaram campaign', the issue has blown to a controversy in itself. The Congress, however is rallying behind Chidamabaram including the Prime Minister. He was quoted as saying, "I don't know what note you people are talking about, in any case the matter is before the court, it is not proper for me to comment on a matter that is subjudice. But as far as Mr Chidambaram is concerned, as finance minister he continued to enjoy my full confidence, as home minister he continues to enjoy my full confidence."

On rumours of in-fighting among the UPA, the PM rubbished all allegations and said, "I don't want to conclude that there is fight among ministers."

With the UPA getting into a fresh controversy over the 2G scam, the stakes seem to be very high this time around. With the name of the ruling Home Minister P Chidambaram getting dragged into the ugly 2G mess, the person having the last laugh seems to be DMK Chief Karunanidhi. Following the controversial note going public, he said, "Raja has always maintained that the finance minister and the PM were kept in the loop (regarding the decision on spectrum pricing)."

He added that the Finance Ministry has vindicated Raja. The DMK had to suffer the worst damages with key members former Telecom Minister A Raja and DMK MP and Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi being jailed for their alleged involvement in the 2G Scam.

OneIndia News