Order in-depth probe into Adarsh scam, says Yechury

NEW DELHI: Making it clear that there was no rupture in the Opposition ranks on the issue of corruption, CPM on Sunday reiterated its demand for a central-level probe in the Adarsh Housing Society scam, terming the issue as “an insult to the nation” since the flats in the society were meant for Kargil war heroes and widows.

“An in-depth probe should be ordered by the central government in the Adarsh Housing Society scam and leaders and officials involved in it should be punished to crush the evil practices in the country,” senior CPM polit bureau member Sitaram Yechury told newspersons in Solapur on Sunday. For good measure, he also demanded resignation of Union ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde and Vilasrao Deshmukh for their alleged involvement in the scam.

“A joint parliamentary committee will be welcomed to investigate the matter,” he said, adding that the committee should not be appointed to put the burning issue in the back burner. The CPM leader’s remarks made it plain that the Left party was on the same page as BJP — the principal Opposition party — on the issues of corruption, including, besides the Adarsh scam, the 2G spectrum allocation scandal and the CWG irregularities.

“It is an insult to the nation since flats in Adarsh society were meant for the Kargil war heroes and families of those who laid down their lives in the war, but the flats were allotted to politicians and bureaucrats,” Mr Yechury said.

The CPM leader also demanded that Union power minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and heavy industries minister Vilasrao Deshmukh should also resign on moral grounds owing to the allegations levelled against them in the Adarsh Housing Society scam.

“Congress party should not hesitate to initiate action against Mr Shinde and Mr Deshmukh. Had the Union power minister been clear in the scam, he would have come forward immediately to clarify his position before the press in his home town (Solapur),” Mr Yechury said.

He welcomed A Raja’s decision to step down and said the move will pave the way for a fair enquiry. On the other corruption issues, he said: “The prime minister should come forward and clarify about all the allegations levelled against Mr Raja.”