PM cannot escape responsibility in 2G scam: Gadkari

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh cannot "escape" responsibility in the 2G spectrum scam for which only the alliance partners should not be blamed, BJP President Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh cannot "escape" responsibility in the 2G spectrum scam for which only the alliance partners should not be blamed, BJP President Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday.

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"It is not proper to blame only the alliance partners. The Prime Minister has a lot of questions to answer. Holding only former telecom minister A Raja responsible won't do. The PM cannot escape responsibility (in the 2G scam)," Gadkari said.

He was speaking to reporters at the traditional Diwali get-together he hosts for journalists in Mumbai each year.

Gadkari's comments came after reports that Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and 15 others including top corporate honchos will be put on trial in the multi-crore 2G spectrum scam with a Delhi Court today framing charges against them for criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating and forgery.

However, to a query on former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, whose judicial custody has been extended till November 3 in alleged land scam cases, Gadkari said, "I question you. What corruption has Yeddyurappa done? From whom did he take money?"

"He is fighting a legal case. One cannot compare his case with Congress' corruption cases," Gadkari said, adding "When the Lokayukta report came, we asked him to quit."

About the communal violence bill, the BJP chief said it has been opposed by not only the BJP and NDA but also chief ministers of states not ruled by the saffron party-led alliance.

"The bill is being used for vote bank politics," he added.