Author: PNS
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: February 2, 2011
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/314887/'Chidambaram-told-us-Thomas-got-acquitted'.html
In fresh embarrassment for Government in the
CVC appointment case, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj
has said Home Minister P Chidambaram had claimed in the selection committee
meeting that PJ Thomas had been acquitted in the palmolein import case.
"Chidambaram's claim that decision was
taken in Thomas' favour after a detailed discussion is far from truth. The
Government had not informed the committee members about the pending case against
Thomas. When I brought it to the notice of the committee, Chidambaram said
Thomas has been acquitted in that case," Sushma said here on Tuesday.
"I had decided to file an affidavit in
the CVC case to apprise the Supreme Court of true facts. The Home Minister
has now admitted that I had raised the palmolein case in the meeting and recorded
my disagreement precisely for this reason," Sushma said. "Now there
is no dispute on the facts. Therefore, there is no need for my affidavit,"
she added. Sushma had put on record her disagreement over Thomas' appointment
as CVC.
The senior BJP leader revealed that when she
told the Prime Minister that she could not agree to Thomas's name and the
Government could chose from among any of the two other officers in the list
-- Petrochemical Secretary Bijoy Chatterjee and Fertiliser Secretary S Krishnan
-- Chidambaram had said Thomas had been acquitted.
"When I asked them to wait for 24 hours
and get the matter verified, the PM replied the CVC had to take oath on Tuesday;
so the decision had to be taken the same day. I told them it was Friday and
the committee could meet again on Saturday after getting information about
the cases against Thomas. But they turned down my request," Sushma added.
The BJP leader revealed that Chidambaram argued
with her that since Thomas was also made Secretary, she should not oppose
his name. "I replied to this saying there is a big difference in being
a Secretary and the CVC. The latter has to be an officer of impeccable integrity,"
Sushma added.
She reportedly argued with the Government
that the other two names had also been shortlisted by it. Even if it did not
find them fit for the job, many other honest officers were also available,
she added.
"The Government did not agree. I told
them I would register my disagreement in writing. They said it's fine. Then
MoS in the PMO Prithiviraj Chavan was called and asked to draft the letter
stating that Thomas had been chosen by majority and the LoP disagreed. Chavan
returned with the draft and I registered my protest," Sushma said.
She also lashed out at Chidamabaram for asking
the Opposition to refrain from commenting on a sub judice matter (of Thomas'
appointment). "Spokesmen of your party (Congress) have participated in
TV shows on this issue. I spoke the truth to set the record straight. The
rule of sub judice implies on speaking truth and not on lying? What sorts
of justice is this?" she asked Chidambaram.
