PC, under fire in LS, says charge is wild

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The controversy around Aircel-Maxis deal, which allegedly involved home minister P. Chidambram, resonated in Parliament with the Opposition raking up the issue by claiming it to be a big scam.

The Opposition demanded resignation of Mr Chidambram, but the home minister categorically dismissed the allegations saying that neither he nor any member of his family has anything to do with it.

Sources disclosed the BJP, which is not satisfied with Mr Chidambaram’s reply, has given notices in both the Houses demanding clarification from the government on the issue.

As BJP leader Yashwant Sinha raked up the issue in the Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour and finance minister Pranab Mukherjee getting angry with the Opposition, there was complete pandemonium in the House.

The ensuing turmoil led to two adjournments and a regret later by Mr Mukherjee for losing his cool. Amid vociferous chants against him by the Opposition, including the AIADMK, which was demanding his resignation, Mr Chidambaram read out a statement issued by his son, Karthi in Chennai saying, “I wish to read that statement as part of my statement.”

“I have learnt that Yashwant Sinha, made a statement today in the Lok Sabha to the effect that I have acquired and hold five per cent of equity in a telecom company by name Aircel. I categorically state that neither I nor any member of my family have acquired or hold any share in any telecom company.”

The minister further said, “In particular, I categorically state that neither I nor any member of my family have acquired or hold any share in either Aircel or Maxis.”

In an obvious reference to Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy, Mr Chidambram said the statement was first made by a person, who is known to indulge in making wild and reckless allegations. It was for the second time this week that the issue was raised in Parliament, he added.

Mr Sinha said, “Prima facie, what has happened is a big scam and government should not hush it up,” as the Rs4,000-crore deal has raised several serious questions and has led to a major controversy.

He wanted a statement from Mr Mukherjee, who is the Leader of the House as also the finance minister. Objecting to the manner in which the issue was raised by Mr Sinha without giving any notice, Mr Chidambaram invoked Jesus Christ saying, “God, forgive them for they know not what they do. I pray that God will forgive the sins of these people.”

Without naming Mr Chidambaram, who was the finance minister in 2006 when the deal took place, Mr Sinha had earlier alleged that the minister had not recused himself when the matter came up before the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) of which he was the head.

However, Mr Chidambram said, it was unfortunate that the same allegation should be repeated in Parliament by an MP... It is deeply regretted that the privileged forum of Parliament is misused to make wild and reckless allegations against a private citizen.