Vinod Rai, the Comptroller and Auditor General, seems to have made both friends and foes in the political circles with his reports on the 2G spectrum allocation and coal block allotments, with the Congress alleging that he harbours political ambitions while the BJP came to his defence.
Coming down heavily on Rai, the outspoken Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh said: “The way CAG is going, it is clear he (Rai) has political ambitions.” He further asserted that Rai reminds him of his predecessor T N Chaturvedi, whose report on the Bofors scandal had stirred a controversy. He joined the BJP after retiring as CAG.
“I am reminded somewhat of the history of Chaturvedi, whenever I view about him (Rai),” the Congress leader said.
BJP defends auditor
The BJP defended Rai, saying that such remarks about people occupying Constitutional posts will demoralise those who execute their duties in a fair manner.
“We condemn the remarks of Digvijay Singh. These are aimed at deflecting from the real issue. Such attacks on Constitutional authorities will demoralise the honest officers,” said BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain.
Another senior Congress leader and Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said: “Parliament and Prime Minister are also Constitutional authorities. When fault could be found with them, why should we be so touchy and sensitive when there is a comment on any other Constitutional authority.”
House will work, don’t attack CAG: JD-U
In a sign that the BJP-led NDA may allow Parliament to resume business next week, Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav on Friday said the Parliament will not remain stalled for long, reports DHNS from New Delhi.
Refusing to explain any further, Yadav, in a statement on Friday evening, said the Parliament will meet “in due course”.
“I do not want to say anything about the present deadlock in Parliament. But Parliament will not remain stalled for long; it will meet in due course. At that time we all will get enough opportunities to speak about the (CAG) report,” yadav said.
He appealed to the politicians to refrain from targeting the CAG and criticised those who were attacking the CAG as if “they were experts in economic matters”. They are trying to denigrate the institution,” he said.