Sharad Pawar makes strong remarks about weak UPA

New Delhi: Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has said the central government has not demonstrated the sort of leadership needed to handle the fallout of the telecom scam, reported to be India's largest swindle.  Mr Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is a crucial partner in the UPA coalition.

"There was a loss of public opinion due to this 2G scam, and the public questioned why the Prime Minister was not intervening," Mr Pawar said at a function organized by the Marathi daily, Loksatta.   "At such a time, it is important to have a strong central government. But it does not seem to be the case."  

The telecom scam - also referred to as the 2G scam because of the type of spectrum involved - was designed and executed in 2008.  As Telecom Minister, A Raja allegedly conspired to give mobile network licenses and accompanying spectrum at a pittance to companies that were ineligible.  Mr Raja is now in jail; so are many executives of some of India's biggest telecoms.

The telecom scam - estimated at 1.76 lakh crores by the government's auditor - has pummeled the government, forcing ministers' resignations, and allowing the opposition to accuse the Prime Minister of being permissive of corruption in his cabinet.