New Delhi: Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday distanced himself from inferences in the Finance Ministry note, while Home Minister P Chidambaram claimed that the matter is closed.
Putting up a united and brave face on Thursday, Mukherjee and Chidambaram sought to put an end to the controversy over the note on 2G spectrum allocation scam that the Finance Ministry had sent to the Prime Minister's Office.
Mukherjee, flanked by Chidambaram, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal and Law Minister Salman Khurshid, addressed the media at the North Block in New Delhi and claimed that the controversial note was just a background paper on the 2G spectrum allocation issue and nothing more.
Reading out from a prepared text, Mukherjee said, "A number of stories on 2G have appeared in 2011. A view was taken that a harominsed note based on facts be produced by various representatives of the Government."
"A background paper was prepared and sent to the PMO. The papers contain certain interpretations," he said but significantly added that the inferences in the note were not his views.
"Apart from the factual background, the paper contains certain inferences and interpretations which do not reflect my views. The policy of the Government in 2007-2008 was continuation of the policy adopted in October 2003 and as reiterated by TRAI," he said.
After Mukherjee finished reading the statement Chidambaram called him a senior and distinguished colleague.
"I am happy with the statement made by my senior and distinguished colleague," said Chidambaram.
But the BJP disagreed and asked how Chidambaram can close the 2G issue when he himself is under the scanner.
The party demanded resignation of the Home Minister P Chidambaram, saying loss could have been stopped if he had taken correct decisions.
"He (Pranab) says those are not his view, we know that, this note was prepared after consultation with Law ministry, others ministries and note says that loss could have been stopped. That's what we are saying," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
He said, "BJP demands Chidambaram should resign and CBI should investigate the matter."
Taking a view on 2G note, he added, "Note says had Chidambaram taken a correct decision 2G scam could have been stopped. We demand Chidambaram role should be investigated.
"Statement is given for ego battle and not for fixing responsibilities," he said.
The party will take it up at its national executive meet beginning from Friday.
But the CBI again on Thursday defended the Home Minister in the Supreme Court saying it's easy to "attack the Minister as it's fruitful politically".
The agency further argued that the finance minister could not have cancelled the licences by himself as it had to be a major policy decision by Government.
"It is not an easy matter to take a decision and you cannot attach criminality against the Finance Minister," the CBI said.
The CBI also defends itself pointing out that it is an independent agency nand added that the the Law Ministry, Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) wanted to give it an opinion but it said no.
However, the CBI told the Supreme Court that the role of Anil Ambani and other Reliance ADAG employees in the sale of Swan Telecom to Delphi is being investigated.
According to the CBI Swan share sold to Delphi were undervalued.
Three top officials of Reliance ADA Group – Gautam Doshi (Managing Director, Reliance ADA Group), Surendra Pipara (Senior Vice President of ADAG and Reliance Telecom) and Hari Nair (Senior Vice President ADAG) - have been accused of conspiracy and abetment to cheating in the 2G scam. The trio is lodged in New Delhi's Tihar Jail.
But the CBI on Thursday gave a clean chit to Tata Group in the 2G scam case.
The agency told the Supreme Court that former telecom minister A Raja didn't favour Tata Teleservices in the controversial 2G spectrum allocation.
The central investigation agency further told the apex court that Tata Group was a loser in the 2G spectrum allocation because of Raja's conspiracy with other co-accused.
The CBI also refuted the allegations that Tata Group gifted land to DMK family for favours in spectrum allocation.
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