It is surprising that a policy that has all the makings of a mega scam has not drawn the attention it deserves from either the BJP or the Left. Is it because of the technical complexities of the matter which have been explained well in ‘Raja is at it again’, November 3?
The role of the prime minister in this context is inexplicable. He can blame his complicity on the compulsions of coalition politics. But he is too clever not to know that it cuts both ways between the Congress and the DMK. The latter is as much dependent on the former for survival in Tamil Nadu as the former is on the latter at the Centre. Nothing is a greater nightmare for Karunanidhi than the prospect of facing a state assembly election and Jayalalithaa coming back to power. The telecom policy calls for a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.
One can understand the ministers at the Centre being not enthusiastic about early elections and their anxiety to remain in power as long as possible, as there may not be another opportunity “to serve the people”! This also calls for vigilance on the part of the Opposition and the people on what the government will be doing in the remaining months before it quits. One area to watch is the Quattrocchi affair. The only roadblock for him to roam freely in the world to pursue his activities is the red corner notice of Interpol. It is just possible that at a critical moment, when the nation's attention is diverted to other pressing issues, the government may sneakily arrange for the withdrawal of the notice. The powers that be will, of course, plead ignorance of the move. Can the opposition ensure that this does not happen?
A Seshan, Mumbai