Information Technology minister A. Raja resigns in the light of Congress DMK talks

Information Technology Minister A. Raja submitted his resignation to the Prime Minister today. The resignation was submitted in the wake of the DMK-Congress talks that took place yesterday. Congress leaders and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi took part in the talks and as an outcome of the talks Karunanidhi, the president of DMK advised Raja to step down from his post as Information Technology Minister.

The 2G scam involving Information Technology Minister, A. Raja contributed to the Government a loss of approximately Rupees1.7 lakh crore.

Information Technology Minister, A. Raja continues to maintain that he is innocent and was only carrying out the instructions of the erstwhile NDA led Government. He further commented that he has confidence in his leader, M. Karunanidhi’s decision and that his conscience is clear. The Information Technology Minister who had sold off the licenses on 2G spectrum without auction at rates 7 years prior to the going rates, also pointed out that his stand on the 2G spectrum led to the drastic increase in subscriber rates and a fall in call rates across the country.

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi continued his support to Information Technology Minister, A. Raja stating that Raja had only been following the norms laid out to him by the NDA Government which was in power at the time of the alleged corruption. He said that Information Technology Minister, A. Raja’s resignation from the post is however a necessity to uphold the Parliamentary democracy in India.

The opposition parties, BJP and CPI(M) however greeted the resignation of A. Raja heartily, but continued to stress that further probe is required in the matter. The CAG’s report on the multi-crore scam will be examined by a special committee chaired by Murli Manohar Joshi of BJP.