We will reply to 2G debate, but only in parliament: PC

As the BJP stepped up its attack on the government on the 2G scam, home minister P Chidambaram dismissed the BJP claim that its attacks were unrelated to investigators linking people linked to the Sangh Parivar to terrorist cases.

As the BJP stepped up its attack on the government on the 2G scam, home minister P Chidambaram dismissed the BJP claim that its attacks were unrelated to investigators linking people linked to the Sangh Parivar to terrorist cases.

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The home minister also made it clear that the government was ready to reply to the debate on 2G spectrum allocation and other issues when these were raised in Parliament.

"There is no allegation that I or the prime minister have to reply to outside Parliament. If there is a debate in Parliament, the government will reply to the debate," Chidambaram said, fielding questions on the BJP's attempt to keep the controversy on the 2G scam alive.

Asked why the BJP had been attacking him and linking him to the spectrum scam despite several clarifications explaining the factual position, Chidambaram said: “Now they are targeting more than me. They are targeting the prime minister… Although they know and privately a number of BJP leaders have told me that they do not believe some of things their colleagues say.”

The home minister, however, stuck to his stand that the BJP's raising the rhetoric over the 2G spectrum controversy was linked to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) proceeding against former members of the RSS and its affiliates in terror cases. It is a charge the BJP had rejected, saying the two were unrelated.

Mumbai blasts
Meanwhile, Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has told Chidambaram that investigators had made some progress in the serial bomb blasts last month.

The case is being investigated by the anti-terrorist squad of Mumbai Police, the NIA is associated with the probe coordinating investigations outside the state.

"We should allow the state police to carry on... The NIA has been associated from the first day," the home minister said.