Govt trying to cover up 2G, CWG scams: BJP

New Delhi: With the government deciding to appoint P J Thomas as new Central Vigilance Commissioner, the BJP on Sunday alleged that the move was to cover up the 2G spectrum scam and alleged irregularities in the Commonwealth Games related projects.

Party spokesman Tarun Vijay said the Government's decision is "unacceptable" to the BJP.

He described the Government's reported step as "sad and shocking" and said it is being done in a "blatantly and hastily" manner despite "suggestions and objections" by the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, who too is a member of the selection committee.

Thomas, the Telecommunications Secretary, is expected to take charge as CVC following superannuation of incumbent Pratyush Sinha on Monday, official sources said.

"The recent appointment of Central Vigilance Commissioner in the blatantly hastily manner is the clear indication that the government wants to cover up the 2G spectrum scam," Vijay told reporters in New Delhi.

"And not only that immediately after the Commonwealth games, all the financial irregularities that have been alleged will come to be inquired into by the CVC," he added.

Vijay said that government has decided to appoint Thomas as Central Vigilance Commissioner ignoring the "suggestion and objection" of the leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj.

There were three names proposed by the panel for the post and Swaraj suggested the committee to choose any one of the two names except Thomas but "it was ignored", he said.

Swaraj suggested the committee to enlarge and revise list saying that there were "many more better names" outside the panel's suggestions which can now be included for "this very significant and important post", he said adding that this suggestion was also ignored by the committee.

At the end, she asked to postpone the meeting for another day suggesting them to do "more homework" and decide what could be the "best nomination" for the post, he said.

"This was also ignored," Vijay said, adding "what is the use of inviting or having Leader of Opposition as a member of selection committee."

Vijay said that the only reason that Swaraj objected to Thomas's appointment was that "he had already been involved in palm oil scam in Kerala when K Karunakaran was the chief minister of the state."

He said his party is aware of the fact that Thomas's name was cleared in the case after inquiry, but for the post of CVC, a person who is completely blameless should be nominated.

"It's really shocking and surprising that how government insisted on just one name, that is of Thomas, and ignored the suggestion and objection of the leader of the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj. Hence, she recorded her dissent," he said.

Vijay said that CBI is probing the 2G spectrum scam but it may come to CVC at the later stage for it being the "boss of the CBI".

He alleged that being the Telecom Secretary, Thomas has to defend A Raja, minister of Telecommunications, and entire 2G spectrum scam.

"How will he probe the 2G Spectrum scam and people will trust on it after he assumes charge of CVC....such incidents shows the mentality of the government in a democracy," he said.