Raja's resignation welcome, CBI probe necessary: PRP

Praja Rajyam Party on Monday welcomed the resignation of Union Communication and Information Technology Minister A Raja who is accused of being involved in 2G spectrum scam.

PRP political affairs Committee Member C Ramachandraiah demanded that the government punish all those who have involved in 2G Spectrum scam of which has been put at Rs 1.76 lakh crore. He said that the 2G allocations be revoked and re-allotted so that the exchequer does not lose out.

The PRP leader added that ordering a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe would be since the report submitted by the Comptroller and Auditor General was already being examined by the Public Accounts Committee. Only a thorough probe by the Central Bureau of Investigations could have any effect, he added.

Mr Ramachandraiah appreciated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for forcing Minister Raja to resign without bowing to the pressure from their ally, the DMK.

The former Rajya Sabha Member said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, by now bowing to the pressure, has given the message that irregularities will not tolerated. This can be borne from the fact that the Centre did not hesitate in removing Suresh Kalmadi from the post of Parliamentary Party Secretary after allegations of corruption in Commonwealth Games were raised against him and then forcing former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan to resign after his involvement in the Adarsh Housing Society scam.

Mr Ramachandraiah added that people will gain confidence in the government when those who have taken advantage of power given to them are punished according to law.