New Delhi:
In Parliament, the BJP delivered on its promise of an unforgiving campaign for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the 2G scam. In the Lok Sabha, the Opposition chanted "We want JPC." Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned this morning.
The Prime Minister is expected to address the Lok Sabha on the 2G scam later today.
Telecom Minister A Raja resigned last night after a week of considerable embarrassment for the government over the 2G scam. Both he and his party - the DMK - stressed that the resignation was not an admission of guilt, and that Raja wanted to pave the way for Parliament to start functioning (it has been stalled by the Opposition over the 2G scam).
Raja's resignation came after a report by the government's auditor on the 2G scam was leaked to the media. The report blames Raja for costing the government close to Rs 1.76 lakh crore by failing to auction 2G spectrum in 2008. He chose, instead, to award licenses based on prices negotiated in 2001.
The government has so far refused to a JPC on the 2G scam. The Opposition argues that a JPC is critical because while the CBI is investigating the case, it functions, according to the Opposition, as an extension of the government and will therefore not conduct an impartial inquiry.
For the government, the stakes are high. The DMK offers the support of 18 MPs to the UPA , and it took considerable maneuvering to persuade DMK chief M Karunanidhi that Raja's continuance in office was untenable.
So far, both the DMK and the Congress have emphasized that their alliance holds strong, despite Raja's exit.
Tamil Nadu votes in a few months for its next government.