New Delhi: Indian principal opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday said A Raja’s resignation over 2G spectrum allocation scam is a ‘victory’ of democracy.
“We are satisfied; it is the victory of democracy, the victory of the public opinion, which was outraged by this worst type of corruption. Now there is a hope that inquiry will be followed and the action to be taken,” said BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar.
“Raja’s resignation is the beginning of a good process and we will continue our fight against corruption till action is taken,” he added.
On the other hand, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the scandal.
“Sacking is not good enough. We want JPC probe into the scandal,” said the AIADMK in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Congress party said Raja’s resignation will not affect Congress’ alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
“Our alliance with the DMK is very strong. Mr Raja resigned as the highest mark of democracy. The resignation won’t change our alliance,” said Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan.
“It is the Prime Minister’s prerogative. As a party, we have always stood for the highest level of integrity; something that BJP has never done; they have never taken accountability. We sincerely hope that they won’t stall the Parliament any further,” she said.
Asked if Raja’s resignation is seen as an acceptance of his guilt, Natarajan said: “There is no need for such assumptions. We will take it up in the Parliament. It is known by now, that the matter is sub-judice. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report that the Opposition is crying hoax about is something not even been tabled in the Parliament.”
Raja officially announced his resignation as telecom minister on Sunday night after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"We discussed the main issues. In order to avoid embarrassment to the government and maintain peace and harmony in the Parliament, my respected leader (DMK supremo Karunanidhi) adviced me to tender resignation to the PM," Raja told reporters.
"But that doesn't mean I have been proved guilty. I have done done everything in accordance to the law, and I will prove it to my people," he added.
Earlier the day (Sunday), Congress senior leaders led by Sonia Gandhi met in New Delhi to discuss the issue of the DMK leader.
The Parliament saw a ruckus over the last few days on the 2G Spectrum allocation controversy with a stern Opposition demanding Raja's dismissal.
A report by the CAG had held Raja personally responsible for the ‘illogical’ sale of 2G spectrum that cost the national exchequer a loss of over Rs 1.40 lakh crore in 2008.