3G auction fallout: Oppn guns for Raja

The BJP and the CPI(M) said on Thursday that the high amount fetched by the 3-G spectrum auction proved that there were serious irregularities with the 2-G spectrum.

The BJP and the CPI(M) said on Thursday that the high amount fetched by the 3-G spectrum auction proved that there were serious irregularities with the 2-G spectrum.

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While the 3-G spectrum fetched a hefty Rs. 67, 710 crores, the 2-G spectrum had been allotted in 2007-08 at jus Rs. 1651 crores.

While the CPI (M) demanded Communications Minister A. Raja’s sacking — in case he did not himself resign — the BJP asked for a statement by the Prime Minister on the “corruption” in the 2-G spectrum allocation.

“The loss caused to this country by A. Raja through his acts of corruption and nepotism is a huge loss,” said BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman.

“How long will the Prime Minister look the other way and pretend nothing has happened?”

She added, “If a high valuation of the 3-G spectrum has the potential to marginally reduce the high fiscal deficit, the fiscal deficit would have been further reduced if the auction route had been followed for the 2-G spectrum.”

A release from the CPI(M) said: “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.

“The CPI(M) demands that he should immediately resign pending a high power enquiry into the entire 2G spectrum scam. If the minister refuses to resign, the Prime Minister should sack him.”