The list is likely to be finalised on July 10 with JPC members agreeing in principle that some politicians and corporate honchos who are part of the telecom sector will be summoned.
As soon as the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) met this morning, chairman P C Chacko placed before the members an exhaustive compilation of witnesses suggested by members over the last one year.
He said since he has not applied his mind on the witnesses who actually need to be called, he would like the issue to be deferred so that he can consult individual members and prune the list of witnesses.
He then "withdrew" the list.
Yashwant Sinha (BJP) objected to the name of Vajpayee saying if he is being summoned as a witness, then his demand to call Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should also be accepted, sources said.
Chacko said he has himself lamented that the name was Vajpayee was suggested as a witness but clarified that he was included in the list by the JPC secretariat as he had held the Telecom portfolio during NDA rule after the resignation of Jagmohan as Telecom Minister.
Some Congress members opined the panel has examined sufficient number of witnesses and was in possession of enough documents to write a draft report. (more)