The Congress on Wednesday said it was the prerogative of the Prime Minister to drop or retain a minister.
The party was responding to a HT report that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh could drop Telecom Minister A. Raja from the Cabinet ahead of Parliament’s monsoon session.
Quoting Singh’s May 24 news conference, Congress spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said the Prime Minister had categorically stated that the CBI was investigating the complaints against Raja for his alleged involvement in the 2G-spectrum scam and if something incriminating comes up, then the government would take action. “Let’s wait for the final report.”
Asked if his party was happy with Raja’s performance, Ahmed said there is no question of the Congress being happy or unhappy with him.
Lack of reaction from the DMK to the report has strengthened the impression that Raja’s days in the Cabinet are numbered. The Congress has put the onus of his removal on the DMK.