Chidambaram belongs in the same Tihar cell as Raja: BJP

New Delhi: Upping the ante against Home Minister P Chidambaram in the 2G spectrum scam, BJP today said his place is in the same cell in Tihar jail in which former telecom minister A Raja has been lodged, and demanded a probe into the alleged role of the Prime Minister in the case.

“There is so much evidence that has come out against P Chidambaram in the 2G spectrum case that for CBI to say in court now that he is not guilty would be laughable. Chidambaram’s place is in the same cell in Tihar jail in which A Raja has been lodged,” BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said.

BJP, which has gradually built up steam against Chidambaram in the 2G scam, seems to have got a shot in the arm with the Finance Ministry’s note to the PMO becoming public.

Sinha made equally scathing remarks against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying that he was fully in the know of the developments in the 2G spectrum allocation all along. “If today I have any admiration for A Raja, it is for the fact that he kept the Prime Minister informed at every step. He wrote a letter to the Prime Minister whenever a new development took place,” Sinha said.

He insisted that about 20-30 questions need to be asked from the Prime Minister on this issue. “If after all this, the Prime Minister kept silent (sic) then it would not be considered silence but consent. If this touches Chidambaram, the Prime Minister knows he cannot be untouched,” Sinha said.

He demanded that the court order an enquiry into Chidambaram and the PM’s role. “If the Prime Minister’s role is not inquired into, then we will not be able to do justice,” Sinha said.

CPI general secretary AB Bardhan said a “very serious charge” has been levelled against Chidambaram by the Finance Ministry and demanded a thorough probe into his role. Asked whether Chidambaram should now quit, he said “when the investigation begins, then the question of his resignation will come up. First, the horse and then the horse cart”.

PTI