Vindo Rai’s claims against ex-PM serious: BJP

NEW DELHI: Former CAG Vinod Rai's remarks on the role of former PM Manmohan Singh in 2G and coal blocks allocations are "serious" and a "correct" picture is now emerging, information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar said on Friday.
"Manmohan Singh did not have power in his hands, this is true. Power was with 10, Janpath (Sonia Gandhi). And that is why the picture that has emerged today is correct.And it is the responsibility of the (then) PM that so many back to back corruption cases happened and you say that I don't know anything, this can't be. So it is serious," Javadekar said.
The minister said Rai was a very successful comptroller and auditor general who brought irregularities to the fore. He said there was corruption in CWG, while in 2G and coal scams, it was called "coalition corruption".
“About coal, I myself had complained after which there was a CBI investigation and the reasons why they (coal blocks) were given to someone were not explained and why they were not given to others were also not explained," Javadekar said.
Rai, whose book is due for release soon, said in an interview, "In 2G and coal, there is no way he (Singh) can shirk responsibility. In 2G, all the letters written by (then telecom minister) A Raja were to him and he was replying to those letters. I got no reply to any letter I wrote to him. On one occasion, when I called on him, the PM said I hope you don't expect a reply from me, whereas he was replying to Raja twice a day. So how can he be not held responsible for the onus of that decision."