PM avoids Raja issue, non-committal on cabinet reshuffle

Telecom minister A Raja may have entered the danger zone after the Supreme Court’s strong observations on his indiscretions, but the government leadership does not seem to be in a hurry to show him the door.

Responding to questions about the harsh observations of the apex court on the minister, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told reporters accompanying him to New Delhi from the Asean Summit in Hanoi, that he would not like to comment on the issue as it was sub-judice. “I have not seen what the SC has said. When I go back I will look into it,” Mr Singh said.
In hard-hitting observations, the SC on Friday questioned the government’s decision to continue with Mr Raja despite a year-old probe into his alleged role in auctioning 2G spectrum at throwaway prices to private companies.

However, the Cabinet rejig may not happen soon was quite evident from Mr Singh’s response to a query as to when he would undertake the reshuffle. “When it will take place you will get to know,” Mr Singh said. In any case, the timeline does not leave much room. While the winter session of Parliament is scheduled to begin on November 8, the political leadership will be busy with the visit of US President Barack Obama.

On the other controversial issue of Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society, a complex meant for relatives of Kargil martyrs in which three relatives of Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan and bigwigs from other political parties and armed forces have bought flats at cheap rates, the prime minister side-stepped a response. “I am not familiar with the issue. When I get back, I will familiarise myself with the facts of the case... only then I can make any meaningful comment,” Mr Singh said. The Maharashtra chief minister is in the capital on summons from the party leadership.

In his interaction with the media, Mr Singh also responded to another controversial issue—the statements of Jammu and Kashmir interlocutors. The members have been stoking controversy by calling for amendment in the Constitution to accommodate a debate on “azaadi” and accepting Pakistan as a player in the Kashmir dispute. “In a democracy, people are free to make comments”. This indulgent view towards the statements made by the interlocutors may not go down with the public opinion outraged by their statements. Senior officials who underplayed the statements said their views did not represent that of the government. “They don’t speak for the government. They are only talking to two principals” they said.

Coming back to the prime minister’s interaction, he said he would seriously consider the recommendations of the NAC on the food security bill. These recommendations will have to be addressed seriously,” he said.