Raja adamant, says won't step down, ready for probe PTI, Nov 12, 2010, 01.45pm IST

Raja adamant, says won't step down, ready for probe

PTI, Nov 12, 2010, 01.45pm IST



NEW DELHI: Undeterred by the mounting opposition attack on his role in 2G spectrum allocation, Telecom Minister A Raja today ruled out resignation over the issue, saying he will prove that everything has been done according to the law.

"The question does not arise at all. We will prove that everything has been done according to the law," the embattled Minister told reporters, a day after the opposition stalled proceedings in Parliament for the second consecutive day demanding his resignation.

Raja's comments assume significance in the wake of indications that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will take a decision on his continuance in the Union of Council of Ministers after his return from Seoul tonight.

"Where does that question arise from? It doesn't arise at all," he said when pressed whether he would step down in the wake of the mounting attack from the opposition, including BJP and AIADMK.

The DMK Minister maintained that he will not comment on the spectrum allocation issue as it is "sub-judice" and said the affidavit submitted by the Telecom Department before the Supreme Court yesterday "says it all".

"The entire matter is sub-judice. It may not be fair on my part to comment on this... Whatever I have done is according to the law," he said.

Raja said that CAG had made similar harsh observations even after the 1999 policy under which the government moved to revenue share regime from fixed licence fee structure.

After that CAG report there has been no change in the policy and the same policy is being followed ever since 1999, including by his predecessors.

With regards to AIADMK supremo A Jayalalitha offer to the Centre in which she offered her support and demanded sacking of Raja, the Minister has said that she (Jayalalitha) has no moral right to make any such offer, as she is herself mired into corruption charges.

"She (Jayalalitha) is trying to save her own skin," Raja said, adding he was yet to receive a copy of the CAG report before making any observation.