P J Thomas sworn in CVC, BJP stays away

NEW DELHI: Former telecom secretary P J Thomas was on Tuesday sworn in as the new Central Vigilance Commissioner ( CVC). The main opposition, BJP, which has been raising questions about his suitability to hold the post, stayed away from the function held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

“It was a conscious decision not to go there as Mr Thomas was appointed overruling the legitimate concerns expressed by BJP,” spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj later met President Pratibha Patil and conveyed her party’s disapproval of Mr Thomas’ appointment. Ms Swaraj, who was part of the three-member selection committee, had objected to the choice in the light of he being under a cloud in the palmolein scam in Kerala in the early 90s and alleged that it was a “cover up” for the 2G spectrum scam.

PM Manmohan Singh had on Monday defended Mr Thomas’ appointment saying there was no impropriety committed by the Centre.

“You can’t come to a conclusion by talking to BJP. We have chosen the best person for the job,” Mr Singh had said during an interaction with a group of editors.

Prime Minister, vice-president Hamid Ansari, home minister P Chidambaram, law minister M Veerappa Moily, CIC Wajahat Habibullah and Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar were among those present at the brief swearing-in ceremony.