CPI(M) asks PM to sack Raja if he does not quit

The Communitst Part of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) on Thursday demanded sacking of Telecom Minister A Raja alleging that the 3G spectrum auction "convincingly" proved his involvement in corrupt practices in the sale of 2G spectrum.

The Communitst Part of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) on Thursday demanded sacking of Telecom Minister A Raja alleging that the 3G spectrum auction "convincingly" proved his involvement in corrupt practices in the sale of 2G spectrum.

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"The outcome of the 3G spectrum auction convincingly proves that Union Communication Minister A Raja was clearly involved in corrupt practices by selling 2G spectrum to some industrialists by manipulating the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommendations.

"Whereas 3G spectrum could fetch Rs 70,000 crore, 2G spectrum was sold at a paltry sum of Rs 2,000 crore only. Raja had done so by blatantly violating the law causing a huge loss to the public exchequer," the CPI(M) Politburo said in a statement.

Demanding that he should quit his post immediately pending a high power enquiry into the 2G spectrum scam, the party said, "If the minister refuses to resign, the Prime Minister should sack him to maintain the dignity of the high post Raja is holding in the Government."

Maintaining that despite repeated demands made in Parliament and outside, Raja has nonchalantly continued to stick to his position. "Such a situation cannot be allowed to be continued", the CPI(M) said.