BJP firm on demand on JPC probe into 2G Spectrum scam

The BJP was firm on its demand for a JPC probe into the 2G Spectrum scam and the Justice (retd) Shivraj Patil Committee report on procedures for allocating 2G licences has not changed the scenario, leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said in Kochi on Saturday.

The BJP was firm on its demand for a JPC probe into the 2G Spectrum scam and the Justice (retd) Shivraj Patil Committee report on procedures for allocating 2G licences has not changed the scenario, leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said in Kochi on Saturday.

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"We are insisting on JPC as issues of governance have to be discussed. We want JPC to discuss the larger issues. It is a question mark on Indian polity," she told reporters.

The one-man committee, set up by union telecom minister Kapil Sibal to look into the policies and procedures followed during the distribution of licences in 2001-2009, on Monday submitted its report to the Centre.

NDA leaders would meet in Delhi on Tuesday to discuss the issue, she said when asked about the Committee's report.

"The scenario does not change with submission of the report. That demand remains."

The BJP leader also refused to comment on the report, saying it has just been submitted to the telecom minister and not been made public.

When pointed out that union home minister P Chidambaram had conceded that the meeting to select P J Thomas as chief Vigilance Commissioner 2010 had discussed the Palmolein case against him, she said, "If Chidambaram has conceded, I am very happy". The CVC has to be impeccable person.

Swaraj has been insisting that she had put a dissent note against the appointment of Thomas as CVC at the selection committee meeting.

The controversy over Thomas' appointment took a new turn last week during a Supreme Court hearing, when the Attorney General told the apex court that the material relating to Thomas' case was not placed before the three-member Selection Committee, headed by the Prime Minister.

Taking exception, Swaraj had said the government was lying in the apex court and that she would file an affidavit explaining her dissent about Thomas.

She refused to comment on allegations of amassing of wealth disproportionate to known sources of income against some family members of former CJI K G Balakrishnan, saying the matter is sub-judice.

The BJP leader also declined comments on Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa's claim about threat to his life from "black magic". "I have not seen such a statement," she said.