2G: BJP demands probe in Chidambaram's role, meets CBI Dir

NEW DELHI: In an unusual move, CBI Director A P Singh today had a meeting with a BJP delegation which demanded a probe into alleged role of the then Finance Minister P Chidambaram in the 2G scam.

It is not a normal practice that the CBI Director meets members of political parties but today he gave time to the five-member delegation led by party MP Prakash Javdekar.

Javdekar, accompanied with fellow MPs Maya Singh, Shivakumar Udasi and BJP office bearers Bhupendra Yadav and Jagat Prasad Nadda, presented to him records received through RTI replies and other evidences which allegedly indicate that Chidambaram had sanctioned the policy for sale of spectrum.

The delegation also demanded that the CBI should quantify the entire loss caused through the telecom spectrum allocation scam which CAG has put to be at around Rs 1.76 lakh crore.

"A Raja, the then Telcommunications Minister, is in jail and has been formally chargesheeted for conspiracy behind the loot and corruption of thousands of crore in the award of 2G licence and allocation of precious spectrum.

"However, it seems surprising that the CBI for reasons unknown has not investigated the role of P Chidambaram who was the then Finance Minister," the delegation said in its representation.

When asked whether they will approach the Supreme Court, Javdekar told reporters that they will see the action taken by the CBI on their representation and then take a call on future course of action.

The BJP said the Cabinet, in 2003, had decided that Finance Ministry and Telecom Ministry "would settle" pricing and allocation of spectrum and both the ministries are "equally responsible" for any decision taken.