2G: BJP defends Joshi against former CAG official's charges

New Delhi, Nov 23:

today defended PAC Chairperson Murli Manohar Joshi against charges by a former

official in the

spectrum report issue, saying it was just an attempt by the government to wash its taint by levelling allegations against the senior leader.

"We want to say with responsibility that the government is tainting constitutional institutions like CAG to wash its taint of corruption. But by doing so it cannot cleanse itself," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.

He pointed out that former CAG official RP Singh, who has alleged that the loss figures in 2G spectrum allocation are inflated, is retired now and appears to be making these charges under government pressure.

BJP also wanted to know as to why Singh had been silent on this issue for so long and did not make these charges even in his deposition before the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the 2G issue. The principal opposition also wondered if some process of giving Singh any fresh employment after his retirement was on.

Rejecting Singh's charges, BJP also took jibe at Congress President Sonia Gandhi for saying the main opposition has been exposed by these allegations.

"Then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had rejected a deputy secretary's note in the 2G issue saying we do not give importance to a deputy secretary's note....But now a retired official's comments are being given more importance," Hussain said.

Referring to Gandhi, he said, "Those living under a veil are trying to expose others...Questions raised by a constitutional institution are not being answered."

BJP maintained that Singh was under no obligation or pressure earlier which could have prevented him from making these charges....Moreover, Joshi was not going to write the official's annual character roll," Hussain said.

PTI