The Shiv Sena has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the role of Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan during his tenure as a minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
“Chavan had been in the PMO as the minister of state for a long tenure. This scam could not have happened without his knowledge and, therefore, I have written a letter on Tuesday to the PM demanding a CBI inquiry into Chavan’s role,” party MP Sanjay Raut told Business Standard.
Chavan downplayed the demand raised by Shiv Sena, the main opposition party in Maharashtra, and refused to comment. Licences for 2G spectrum were awarded in 2008 at the price determined in 2001.
A section of the ruling Congress has recently launched a campaign that Chavan be shifted ahead of the ensuing elections to the civic bodies and local self-government. Some Congress legislators have already expressed their resentment against delays in clearance of projects by the chief minister and by various departments.
Congress at the Centre is already under tremendous pressure following the Opposition’s demand for the resignation of Home Minister P Chidambaram in the wake of a finance ministry letter to the PMO hinting the 2G scam could have been averted had Chidambaram in his capacity as the finance minister discharged his responsibility cautiously.
“Such facts are deeply disturbing and had created doubts in the minds of people on enmeshing of other names in this scam. Therefore, I have appealed to the PM to make his stand clear on the burning issue, as new facts came to light after the finance ministry’s note,” Raut added .
