The main Opposition BJP on Sunday alleged that the move to appoint P.J. Thomas as the new Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) was to cover up the 2G spectrum scam and alleged irregularities in the Commonwealth Games related projects.
Party spokesperson Mr Tarun Vijay said government’s decision is “unacceptable” to the BJP.
Mr Vijay said the CBI is probing the 2G spectrum scam but it may come to CVC at the later stage for it being the “boss of the CBI”. He alleged that being the telecom secretary, Mr Thomas has to defend temecommunication minister Mr A. Raja and the entire 2G spectrum scam.
The BJP alleged the appointment is being done in a “blatantly and hastily” manner despite “suggestions and objections” by the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Ms Sushma Swaraj, who too is a member of the selection committee.
Mr Thomas, who currently is telecommunications secretary, is expected to take charge as CVC following superannuation of incumbent Mr Pratyush Sinha on Monday, sources said.
Mr Vijay said there were three names proposed by the panel for the post and Ms Swaraj suggested the committee to choose any one of the two names except Mr Thomas but “it was ignored.”
He said Ms Swaraj’s suggestion that more names should be added in the list as there were “many more better names” outside the panel’s suggestions was also rejected.
Mr Vijay said that the only reason that Ms Swaraj objected to Mr Thomas’s appointment was that “he had already been involved in palm oil scam in Kerala.” He said his party is aware of the fact that Mr Thomas’s name was cleared in the case after inquiry but for the post of CVC, a person who is completely blameless should be nominated.