New Delhi:
The embarrassment for the government over the Supreme Court's criticism of the Prime Minister was turned up another few notches today.
The Supreme Court has asked for an affidavit to be filed by Saturday on behalf of the Prime Minister which explains why he took close to a year to respond to a request for the prosecution of former Telecom Minister A Raja for allegedly orchestrating the massive 2G scam. (
Read: How Raja allegedly robbed India)
"The matter is extremely serious," the court said. Earlier this week, referring to the PM, the court had said, "The alleged inaction and silence is worrying us," said the court earlier this week.
Raja was forced to resign on Sunday after a report by the government's auditor found him guilty of costing the country close to 1.76 lakh crores by undervaluing 2G spectrum in 2008, and circumventing the rules to award the spectrum to companies that he favoured, and who presented incorrect information to win licenses at throwaway prices. (
Read: 2G scam - 85 companies got licenses by suppressing facts, says CAG)
In November 2008, former Law Minister and Janata Party President Subramaniam Swamy wrote to the Prime Minister, asking that Raja be prosecuted for these violations committed in January that year. Swamy finally had his answer in March 2010 when the government said that would not be possible because the CBI is investigating the case.
The Solicitor General, Gopal Subramaniam, said yesterday that the remarks against the PM were not embarrassing.
Today, he told the Supreme Court that all documents relevant to Swamy's request will be produced in court. He also said that "all letters of Swamy were dealt with." (
Read: No strictures against PM, says Solicitor General)
However, Swamy said that he wrote five times to the Prime Minister but received only one response from Dr Manmohan Singh's office, and another from Raja explaining why his request was being rejected.
(Watch)
The court said, "Raja cannot decide sanctioning (of prosecution) against himself."
Law Minister Veerappa Moily denied any comments on the entire controversy. "I don't want to say anything. Nothing has gone wrong in court," he said.
The political fallout
Both the BJP and the Left are demanding a public explanation from the PM. While BJP leader Advani said PM must respond immediately to the Supreme Court, the Left demanded a 'categorical answer'. (
Read: PM must respond to court remarks, says Advani)
"I don't recall any incident in the past 60 years of the Supreme Court making such remarks against the PMO. And I believe that the PM should respond to the Supreme Court immediately," said senior BJP leader LK Advani on Wednesday.
The Opposition again created ruckus over the 2G scam in Parliament on Thursday. They stuck to their demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the 2G scam, which the government has rejected. Soon after both Houses of Parliament convened for the day, they were adjourned till Friday.
Since the Winter Session began, hardy any work has been done with the Opposition creating ruckus over various scams
Congress top brass brainstormsMeanwhile, with political temperatures rising over A Raja, the Congress has also called a meeting of its top brass in the afternoon.
The core committee is expected to discuss the stand-off with the Opposition in parliament. The Opposition has said that it will not allow parliament to function unless the government sanctions a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate the 2G scam. The government has said this is not required.